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Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown #3: Mt. Logan 20 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 22, 2016

rum-howler-top-50-2016I began hearing about Mt. Logan Whisky just this past summer as a few of my regular readers sent me requests for a review. When I researched the brand, I discovered it was a ‘destination’ brand exclusive to Liquor Depot and Wine & Beyond (Liquor Stores N.A. Inc.) stores in Western Canada. Apparently, Ryan Engen, Director of Spirits, Liquor Stores N.A. Inc., worked closely with Highwood Distillers to produce a new Canadian WHisky range for their family of Liquor Stores.

mt-logan-old-fashioned-sam_2860According to the label on the back of the bottle, Mt. Logan 20 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky is produced in a batch style distillation with the spirit was matured in charred American white oak. According to Ryan, the spirit is a 100 % corn whisky blend making this a true Single Grain Whisky.

Here is a link to the 3rd Best Canadian Whisky in the World, the Mt. Logan 20 Year Old Whisky.

#3: Mt. Logan 20 Year Old

“… The initial breezes above that glass are rich with vanilla, dusty dry oak spice, butterscotch and canned creamed corn. The strength and purity of the corn scent surprises and delights me. As the whisky breathes, the fine oak spices gain momentum. Orange peel begins to turn to marmalade as the butterscotch melds into the spice; dark tobacco wells up; and a firm sense of marzipan begins to unravel into the breezes …”

Stay tuned as the countdown continues tomorrow with the Number 2 Canadian Whisky.

Chimo!

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* You may follow my 2016 Canadian Whisky Countdown by bookmarking this link:

The Rum Howler – Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2016

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Rum Howler Top 50 Rums of 2016

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 21, 2016

On My DeckFor the first time in 5 years, I did not publish a daily countdown for the Best Rums of the Year. I did however compile a list, and this is my reveal of the Rum Howler Top 50 Rums of 2016.

Every year when I publish my annual list I receive emails wondering why certain rums were left off. It always boils down to the same two answers.

  1. That particular Rum just wasn’t up to the standard of the rest of the spirits on the list.
  2. That particular spirit was not made available for me to taste and access in time for inclusion.

On the first score, I make no apologies for my rankings. Just because some other publication or a particular marketing campaign says that such and such a rum is the Elixir of the Gods, that doesn’t make it so. I trust my tasting sessions. I do not trust marketing hype.

If you are wondering how your favourite rum fared this year, Here is my Rum Howler List of the Top 50 Rums of 2016:

Rum Howler Top 50 Rums of 2016

Just in time for Christmas giving!

Chimo!

 

Posted in Awards, Extras, Rum | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rums Countdown #4: Noxx & Dunn Florida Rum 2-4-5

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 21, 2016

2016rum_howler_badgeTwo years ago when Campari purchased J Wray & Nephew, they terminated the Appleton Estate Rum sales team in here in Canada. Then early last year they also terminated the long-term contract of Michael Delevante, aka the Rum Doctor. This meant that after 50 years of service as Rum Master and Rum Blender for Appleton Estate Rum, the Rum Doctor was able to team up with some of his old collaborators, and together they are bringing to the market an aged Florida Rum.

Noxx And Dunn 245 SAM_2590The Noxx and Dunn 2-4-5 Rum they created is made from a blend of 100%  Florida sugar cane molasses pot and column distilled spirit. These rums were aged for 2, 4 and 5 years in the sub tropics (in Florida of course) in once used bourbon barrels. Importantly, no flavouring and no colour were added. The colour and flavour of the rum in the bottle is completely natural and derived from the ageing process.

Here is a link to the Number 4 Mixing Rum in my 2016 Mixing Rum Countdown:

#4: Noxx & Dunn Florida Rum 2-4-5

“… The rum is a natural for a rum and cola bar drink. I would go heavy on the rum and light on the cola to give the libation a delicious kick of oaky rum flavour. But I sense more versatility than that and a Rum Old Fashioned is certainly not out of the question. This Noxx and Dunn Rum even has the strength and character to stand up to a sweetened liqueur …”

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Stay tuned for more mixing rum revelations as I will be adding to this list each day until Christmas Eve.

And you can follow the rankings by bookmarking this page:

The Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rums Countdown

 

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Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown #4: J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 21, 2016

rum-howler-top-50-2016In the past, Wiser’s 18 Year Old advertised itself as a Limited Release bottling totaling only 3500 bottles for each batch produced. Last year I noticed that the whisky had undergone a subtle brand change as well, and it is now listed as J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old Canadian Whisky. As part of the brand re-identification the bottle no longer contains any information on the label with respect to the batch size.

j-p-wisers-18-sam_2902Whether any real substantive change in the whisky inside the bottle has occurred is unknown to me; but since we know that we can expect the whisky to change from batch to batch at a minimum, I usually look at this brand each year and write a new review if I notice any substantive change. (It turns out, there was very little change from last year to this year.)

Here is a link to the Number 5 Canadian Whisky in my Rum Howler Countdown of the World’s Best!

#4: J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old Canadian Whisky

“… The initial breezes are full of fine oak spices with hints of butterscotch and clean grain. As the glass breathes the spiciness within the breezes above the glass continues unabated. Meandering within the spice are rich smells of butterscotch and maple with a few hints of sharp orange peel and dusty grain. Some baking spices begin to form after about five minutes with vanilla and  brown sugar spice, bits of cinnamon white pepper and cloves …”

Stay tuned as the countdown continues tomorrow with the Number 3 Canadian Whisky.

Chimo!

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* You may follow my 2016 Canadian Whisky Countdown by bookmarking this link:

The Rum Howler – Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2016

 

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Cocktail Hour: Arctic Wolf’s Christmas Eggnog

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 20, 2016

Back by popular demand, I am re-posting my recipe for my special Christmas Eggnog. My recipe mixes Dark Rum and Canadian Whisky with Eggs, Whipped Cream, Whole Milk and Christmas Spices. This year my chosen spirits are the very flavourful tiki rum Lemonhart Original Demerara, and the classic Canadian whisky, Canadian Club Premium. This recipe of mine does require a baker’s touch get everything just right; but the results are so good that if you serve this eggnog on Christmas Eve, you will have all of your family begging for seconds.

lemonorig-e1388785628641Arctic Wolf’s Christmas Eggnog
(Four serving recipe)

Ingredients

3 Eggs (room temperature with the yolk and whites separated)
3/8 cup White Sugar (for the yolks)
3 tablespoons White Sugar (for the whites)
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla
a touch Ground Cloves (1/16 tsp)
a pinch of Grated Nutmeg (1/8 tsp)
a dash of Ground Cinnamon (3/16 tsp)
1 1/2 cups Whipping Cream (chilled)
1 cup Whole Milk
1/2 cup Dark Rum (Lemonhart Original Dark Rum)
2/3 cup Canadian Whisky (Canadian Club Premium)

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canadian-club-premium-sam_2653Start with the Egg Yolks

Separate your egg yolks and your egg whites in two separate bowls
Whisk the first amount of sugar and the vanilla into the egg yolks
Add a touch of  ground cloves, a pinch of nutmeg, and a dash of cinnamon into the yolk bowl
Add the cream, the milk and the rum and the whisky
Make sure everything is mixed thoroughly

Next the Egg Whites

This is where a baker’s touch is necessary
Beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks (3-4 minutes)
Add the second amount of sugar slowly during this beating process.

Then we Combine

Gently and with large circular motions blend the egg white mixture into the yolk mixture, trying to keep things as ‘poofy’ as possible
Gently spoon the mixture into your serving cups
Sprinkle a little left over spice on the top of each glass, and enjoy with your favourite Christmas chocolates!

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eggnog

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Cocktail Hour: Arctic Wolf’s Christmas Eggnog