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Archive for the ‘Whisky Review’ Category

Review: North of 7 Single Barrel Canadian Whisky (Bourbon Style)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 23, 2018

Greg Lipin and Jody Miall are both avid rock climbers who regularly travel to Kentucky on climbing trips. It was there that the two friends developed a passion for ‘brown spirits’ which led them to opening their own Micro-distillery ( North of 7 Distillery) in Ottawa, Ontario. They currently produce several styles of Canadian Whisky, their Leatherback Dark Rum (57 % abv.) Triple Beam Gin and Illuminati Vodka.

The subject of this review is the North of 7 Single Barrel Canadian Whisky from Barrel Number 3, which is produced in a boubon style  Corn, wheat, rye and barley grains. The whisky was aged in for about 3 and a half years in 53 gallon oak barrels from Independent Stave Company. This is a true locally produced whisky as all of the grain used by the distillery is sourced locally from the  Moulin St.-Georges Mill (corn from the Alexandria area) and the Against the Grain farm in Winchester.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: North of 7 Canadian Whisky  Barrel #3 (Bourbon Style)

“… As indicated, the North of 7 Single Barrel Whisky (Bourbon Style) might be a rather polarizing spirit. There is an overt woody quality (a result of maturation in new oak) which some will find disconcerting, while others will relish the fresh oak and cedar flavour. However, once we bring the whisky into the realm of mixology, there is a place for both camps to find enjoyment …”

Please enjoy my review which includes two recipe suggestions, the Ottawa Continuum, and the Ottawa Old Fashioned.

Chimo!

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Review: Twelve Barrels Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 20, 2018

Twelve Barrels Canadian Whisky is the creation of Cole Miller of Napanee, Ontario. Although the whisky is produced by a third-party distillery, Cole apparently based his recipe upon the whisky produced by a local whisky making legend, John Meagher who began making wheat whisky on the shores of the Napanee River in 1853. Soon thereafter he began he learned of the robust flavour of Canadian rye and added that grain to the mix. (The recipe also contains corn.)

The moniker for the whisky (Twelve Barrels) is apparently derived from another Napanee legend, George ‘the Jumper’ Meagher, (Son of Whisky Maker John Meagher) who was a locally renowned hockey player and the 1896 World Figure Skating Champion. Besides being a World Champion, George’s other great claim to fame was that he, while skating, was able to leap over an amazing twelve whisky barrels.

Here is a link to my recent review of this new Canadian Whisky Brand:

Review: Twelve Barrels Canadian Whisky

“… The initial nose brings a combination butterscotch and almond with vanilla and hints of burlap. As I let the glass sit dusty rye and wood spice notes develop with hints of orange peel zest. The whisky is not too complicated; but there is a nice balance between the different impressions …”

Please enjoy my review which includes my suggested mixed drink, the Canadian Mammy.

Chimo!

 

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Review: Pike Creek 21 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 9, 2018

Pike Creek 21 Year Old is part of Corby’s Northern Border Collection Rare Release which features hand-picked selections from their rarest casks. How rare are these whiskies? Corby’s doesn’t actually tell us much; however, it is significant that this particular 21-year-old whisky doesn’t even rate a mention on the Corby’s Brands website.

This particular whisky was first matured in oak casks (probably refill bourbon barrels) and then finished in refill bourbon casks which had been used to age an unspecified Speyside (Scotch) malt whisky. The final spirit was bottled at 45 % alcohol by volume.

My experience with this particular whisky is quite limited. As part of my juror duties for the 2018 Canadian Whisky Awards, I was given about 75 blind samples and as I judged each whisky (over the course of 30 days), I tasted them each three times, writing down tasting notes and scores as I did so. It was only after the judging was complete, and the awards were presented, that the contents of each of the blind samples became know to me. I still has a small amount of each whisky remaining after judging, and so with that small amount remaining and from the tasting notes I already had produced I penned my review.

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Pike Creek 21 Year Old (Finished in Speyside Single Malt Casks)

“… The notes indicate a well-balanced Canadian Whisky which shows us some development in the glass as it breathes. I will admit, that when I discovered that this was a 21-year-old whisky I was surprised that the spirit had not shown me more …”

Please enjoy my review, Chimo!

 

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Review: Canadian Rockies 21 Year Old Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 19, 2018

Canadian Rockies 21 Year Old Whisky is produced for The Fountana Group Canada  by Highwood Distillers right here in my home Province of Alberta. The Fountana Group contracted Highwood to produce a well aged whisky for export to Asia where it apparently has been well received. The spirit is now a standard bottling (still owned by the Fountana Group) made also for the Canadian Market.

According to the information provided me, the spirit is (as it was before) distilled and aged by Highwood Distillers. It is a 100% corn whisky bottled at 46% alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my recent review of what I believe was the best Canadian Whisky produced in 2017:

Review: Canadian Rockies 21 Year Old Whisky

“… The initial breezes above the glass brought me impressions of dusty grain fields and firm oak spices. Soon I began to notice orange peel and butterscotch scents moving together over time creating impressions of marmalade and caramel toffee. There were also lovely hints of cinnamon and vanilla weaving within the breezes …”

Please enjoy the review!

Chimo!

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Review: Last Mountain Prairie Cherry Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 1, 2018

The Last Mountain Distillery is part of a small wave of Micro-Distillers which have began to appear on the Canadian landscape over the last few years. These are small ‘mom and pop’ operations which make their spirits in small batches usually only a barrel or two at a time. This particular distillery is located in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, and it is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Colin and Meredith Schmidt.

Last Mountain Prairie Cherry Whisky was launched in December 2014. It is produced by barrel aging the Last Mountain Wheat Whisky with organic sour cherries from Over The Hill Orchards in Lumsden Saskatchewan, and then lightly sweetened the spirit using organic sugar cane.

Here is a link to my latest review:

Review: Last Mountain Prairie Cherry Whisky

“… When I took my first sip, I found the spirit did not demonstrate nearly as much sweetness as the nose had indicated. The cherry flavour however, wasn’t what I expected. I was expecting the flavour of a nice ripe BC Cherry, whereas the Saskatchewan Prairie Cherry appears to have a somewhat different flavour. (The Saskatchewan Prairie Cherry were developed at the University of Saskatchewan to be suitably hardy for the cold Saskatchewan prairie winters. Although they are not necessarily sour as the name indicates,they do have a different taste characteristic than the BC Cherry.) I also felt that the underlying whisky seemed to be taking center stage with the flavour of the Saskatchewan Prairie Cherry playing a secondary role …”

Please enjoy my review, and my suggested recipe at the conclusion, the Prairie Cherry Cosmo.

Chimo!

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