The Rum Howler Blog

Review: Last Straw Distillery Stout Whisky (Lot No. SW001)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 6, 2022

The Last Straw Distillery is Ontario’s smallest production micro-distillery located at 40 Pippin Rd. in Vaughan, Ontario (a wee bit north of Toronto) just off Highway 400 and around the corner from Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre.

Last Straw Distillery Stout Whisky is the result of a collaboration between Vaughan’s Lake Wilcox Brewing Co. and the distillery, and it can be said to be the distilled essence of the Lake Wilcox Stout Beer. According to the distillery website the stout whisky is produced in small batches, bottled at 45 % alcohol by volume, is non-chill filtered with no colour added and aged for 3 years in a #3 re-charred ex-wine cask.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Last Straw Distillery Stout Whisky (Lot No. SW001)

“… heated oak spices combined with maple and chocolate. There is also a light underlying bitterness which compliments rather than clashes with the implied sweetness of maple. The second sip brings more flavours and nuances forward, graham wafers dipped in maple syrup, vanilla and baking spices, nutty barley and again hints of treacle which remind me of dark rum …

Please enjoy my review of this remarkable whisky from the Last Straw Distillery.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Last Straw Distillery, Lot No. SW001, Review, Stout Whisky, Whisky | Comments Off on Review: Last Straw Distillery Stout Whisky (Lot No. SW001)

Review: Barcelo Imperial Premium 30 Aniversario Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 4, 2022

Ron Barceló was founded in 1930 under the name Barceló & Co in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The rum brand quickly grew in popularity growing into one of the largest in the Dominican, and the brand is now exported world-wide to over 25 countries.

When I dug further into the rum’s story I found that it had been created in 2011. At that time the spirit was blended from 10 year old reserves which were aged an additional 2 years in white oak from France, some from the Bordeaux house of Château d’Yquem. Whether much has changed since 2011 is hard to say; but the implication is that the rum is probably made from a blend of cane spirits which have been aged up to 12 years.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Barcelo Imperial Premium 30 Aniversario Rum

“… Fine oak spices and caramel toffee melded with with vanilla, rich brown sugar and baking spices. There is a whiff of apricot brandy and then even more fine wood spice pouring upwards. Notes of honeycomb, marzipan, bits of cola and even a light impression of my Mom’s cinnamon rolls seem to be floating in the air …”

Chimo!

Please enjoy my review of this exceptional rum from Ron Barcelo.

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 30 Aniversario, Dominican Rum, Imperial Premium, Review, Ron Barcelo, Rum | Comments Off on Review: Barcelo Imperial Premium 30 Aniversario Rum

Review: Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 2, 2022

In 1795, Jose María Guadalupe de Cuervo began to commercially produce his Mexcal wine spirit based upon an official permit from the King of Spain. By 1812, he had established La Rojena, the distillery which to this day still produces Jose Cuervo Tequila.

By 1844, Cuervo Tequila was being distributed within Mexico, and in 1873 the earliest known documented export of the tequila outside of Mexico occurred when 3 bottles of Cuervo were transported across the United States border by donkey. Those exports have continued (although no longer by donkey), and in 2013 the Jose Cuervo brand was recognized as the best-selling tequila brand in the entire world. The brand has been owned by the Beckmann family of Mexico and has been in this family for 11 generations. The Brand is currently distributed in North America by Proximo Spirits.

Jose Cuervo Tradicional is marketed as the original Cuervo tequila. The Reposado version is produced from 100% blue agave, and aged (or rested) in oak barrels for a minimum of two months before being bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my recent review:

Review: Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado

“… Light fruity agave, hints of fine wood spices, peppery agave spice. As the glass breathes the earthy somewhat punky agave scents become more prominent and a light sweetness of honey and vanilla appear. Scents of grilled pineapple and baked squash add to the fruitiness. Some scattered tea leaves add a touch of complexity …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my recipe suggestion, the Cantarito.

Chimo!

Posted in Reposado Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: Beckmann, Cuervo, Jose Cuervo, Proximo Spirits, Reposado, Review, Tradicional | Comments Off on Review: Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado

Review: Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 29, 2022

The folks at Eau Claire pride themselves in sourcing locally farmed ingredients, including grains and potatoes from neighbouring farms. Each ingredient is secured from suppliers who are known and respected in Alberta’s agriculture profession. In addition to the direct from the farm suppliers, Eau Claire has a special connection to the land through its own, unique stable of plough horses. Horse farmed grain is a part of the Eau Claire story and culture. It was founder David Farran’s weekend pursuit of traditional horse farming that led him to establish Eau Claire in the first place. A number of the distillery’s products have been made with ‘horse farmed grain’ using agricultural methods dating back to the settlement of Alberta.

Here is a link to my full review of their Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky.

Review: Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky

“… Fine oak spices with hints of butterscotch, mild vanilla and almond. Light baking spices in the form of ginger, nutmeg and orange peel begin to climb up, and perhaps we have a few indication of banana as well …”

I hope you enjoy my review, as well as the recipe suggestion which follows, the Canadian Cooler.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Eau Claire Distillery, Exceptional, Review, Rupert's | Comments Off on Review: Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky

Review: Angostura 5 Year Old Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 27, 2022

The House of Angostura traces its beginnings to 1824 when German doctor, Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert, who was then a Surgeon-General in the Venezuelan Army, created a blend of aromatic herbs which he called “Amargo Aromatico” and which would become the world-famous Angostura Bitters. Although the company he created to manufacture these bitters was originally founded in the town known as Angostura (later to be renamed Bolivar City), the company was relocated by his successors (his younger brother and son), who moved it to Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1876.

The Angostura 5 Year Old Rum is (like all of the Angostura Rums) produced from molasses on their five column still. Part of the rum is produced from a heavy distillate which is drawn from the multi-column still after passing through only one of the five columns. This heavily flavoured rum is aged and then blended with a more purely refined spirit which is distilled upon all five columns.

Here is a link to my latest review:

Review: Angostura 5 Year Old Rum

“… Butterscotch, fine oak spice, almond and orange peel complimented by vanilla and light baking spices (ginger and cinnamon). There is also a light coconut impression; and as the glass breathes, the almond scent seems to mingle with the butterscotch and vanilla to bring about a very mild impression of marzipan …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my cocktail suggestion, the Railcar.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 5 Year Old, 5 years Old, Angostura, Review, Rum | Comments Off on Review: Angostura 5 Year Old Rum

« Previous Entries

Next Entries »

The Rum Howler Blog

(A Website for Spirited Reviews)

Copyright

Cocktails and Recipes

Industry Interviews

The Rum Howler Interview (Good Food Revolution)