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Archive for the ‘Whisk(e)y Review’ Category

Review: Pendleton 1910 (Aged 12 Years) Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 6, 2012

Pendleton 1910 Canadian Whisky is a 100 % Canadian Whisky. The spirit is produced and aged in Calgary Alberta, and then transported to Oregon where it is brought to bottling proof by Hood River Distillers using the glacial fed waters from Mt. Hood. The whisky is named to honour the year of the very first Pendleton Round-up, which is a respected rodeo in Pendleton, Oregon. In fact, Pendleton Whisky sponsors numerous rodeos, including the aforementioned  the Pendleton Round-Up, the Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the Walla Walla Frontier Days.

According to the company website, the whisky is crafted from 100 % rye, distilled and oak-aged in Canada for 12 years.

I was given a bottle of the Pendleton 1910, by my contacts at Authentic Wines and Spirits who are the local importers of this whisky in my Province of Alberta.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The whisky displays a pale gold colour in the glass and the initial nose is of gentle rye spices. Some sandalwood and oak lie under the rye and the overall effect of this combination is most pleasing. I notice some light honey scents and a pleasant drifting of vanilla.

The oak deepens over time and a few scents of charcoal are added to the fray. Some mild baking spices evolve (ginger, nutmeg and ever so light scents of cinnamon), and as the glass sits even longer, the whisky reveals more… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Pendleton 1910 (Aged 12 Years) Canadian Whisky

I have included one of my original recipes with the review, The Woodcutter.

Please enjoy my review and my original cocktail!

Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Pendleton 1910 (Aged 12 Years) Canadian Whisky

Review: Masterson’s 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 2, 2012

Masterson’s Straight Rye Whiskey is distilled and aged in Canada, for a company from Sonoma California called 35 Maple Street. As a straight rye whiskey, the spirit must be barreled and aged in new American Oak, but Masterson’s also holds the distinction of being one of the very few straight rye whiskeys which is distilled from a mash of 100 % rye grain. It is bottled at 45% alcohol by volume. The whiskey is apparently named for the famous frontier lawman, William “Bat” Masterson.The choice is appropriate because Bat Masterson, who became famous in the American wild west, was actually born in Canada. Just as is Masterson’s 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey.

This spirit is being brought into my home Province of Alberta by Purple Valley Imports, who provided the sample for review.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I nosed the glass, I found it was full of wood (oak and cedar) and rye spices. Some dusty dry grain is evident as well, and I sense a strong indication of sweet honeycomb in the breezes too. There is a little fresh tobacco smell, and some light baking spices (vanilla, ginger and cinnamon) and maple syrup as well.

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Masterson’s 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey

I have included my favourite Canadian whisky cocktail as part of this review, the Horses Neck.

Please enjoy the review, and the suggested cocktail! Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Masterson’s 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey

Review: Danfield’s Private Reserve Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 26, 2012

Danfield’s Private Reserve Canadian Whisky is produced in the small City of Lethbridge in my home Province of Alberta. It is produced for Williams & Churchill by Schenley Distilleries Inc. at the Black Velvet Distillery, (also referred to locally as the Palliser Distillery). According to the information on the product label, this whisky is a result of blending carefully selected small batch whiskies. The Private Reserve is apparently “diamond filtered” to add further polish to the whisky.

A friend of mine brought this whisky to a Canadian Whisky Tasting event which I hosted earlier this summer. He graciously allowed me to keep the bottle so that I could review it here on my website.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The initial nose is full of rye spices, cardamom and ginger in particular, with a few scattered scents of cloves. Some light hints of butterscotch reach the breezes (although this whisky displays less sweetness than most Canadian Whiskies I have nosed). Some sandalwood and sawdust rise up as well as some light hints of effervescent fruitiness… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Danfield’s Private Reserve Canadian Whisky

Please enjoy the review and my suggested recipe, the Emerald Cooler.

Cheers Everyone!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Danfield’s Private Reserve Canadian Whisky

Introducing: Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 20, 2012

Forty Creek Distillery, formerly Kittling Ridge Estate Wines & Spirits, has announced the September release of their new Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve. Made in the same style, as the Forty Creek Barrel Select (See my write-up here: John Hall and Whisky: A Good Meritage), Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve is blended to be bold, complex, and flavourful. In fact, with the Forty Creek Copper Pot whisky, Master Distiller and Whisky Maker, John Hall has promised that he has ‘amped up’ the flavour to deliver a deeper and richer taste profile through patient extra aging in white oak barrels, and careful selection of whisky stocks.

The Copper Pot Reserve Whisky will be bottled at 43% alcohol by volume to complement the depth of flavour in this bold Canadian Whisky.

Here are the tasting notes from the distillery:

“… Deep copper (amber) colour. Bold aromas of toffee, nuts and spice. Dried stone fruits follow through on a smooth, supple entry.  Full bodied with rich brown spice notes and hints of marmalade. Finishes with a long, sensual fade. A whisky worthy savouring…”

Sadly, it seems this may be an Ontario only release.  I may have negotiate a road trip!

For those who are interested, here are my reviews for some of the other Forty Creek Whiskies from John Hall:

Cheers Everyone!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Introducing: Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve

Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 16, 2012

True North Rye Whisky is produced from western prairie wheat and grains. It is aged in charred American oak barrels for a minimum of three years (as per Canadian Law) before being blended and bottled at the Highwood facility in High River, Alberta. True North is what I refer to as an economy whisky. It is inexpensive compared to other whisky in its category, and is a whisky meant for tall drinks as well as other cocktails in bars and restaurants (or on your back deck).

Highwood Distillers is the only Canadian distillery which uses wheat as its primary distilled grain. I have noticed when tasting the wheat based spirits in their portfolio that this grain seems to lend a soft gentleness to the final spirit. They use Rye is in much smaller quantities, and this grain adds a flavourful spiciness. Corn may also be used, and when it is, the corn provides additional sweetness, and body to the spirit.

Earlier this summer, I was given a bottle of Highwood’s True North Whisky for the purpose of a review here on my website. Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“…. True North tastes pretty much like an old-fashioned rye whisky with a nice bite of rye spice complemented with notes of butterscotch and caramel. I can taste the spiciness of ginger with perhaps just a dash of cloves and cardamom, and a very light sweetness. The spiciness warms the mouth, but there is  just enough dusty dryness and flavours of ripened grain to appeal to me… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky

I have also provided a nice cocktail with the review, the Rye-jito.

Please enjoy the review and cocktail.

Cheers!

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For those who are interested I have provided a detailed overview of Highwood’s distillation and whisky making process which you may find her:

The Highwood Distillery Tour

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Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Distillery Tour, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: True North Canadian Rye Whisky