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Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown: #22 – Ninety 5 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 3, 2016

rum-howler-top-50-2016

Just before the massive disruption caused by flooding during the summer of 2013 in Southern Alberta, Highwood Distillers released a limited quantity of their new “Ninety” branded whiskies under their Century Distillers banner. The news of these whisky releases was unfortunately drowned out (quite literally) by the waters that engulfed Southern Alberta. If you followed the news regarding the aftermath of the flood (see story here) you will know that it took more than a few weeks for the company to bring itself back onto its feet. In fact, all of the bottled inventory in Highwood’s warehouse had to be destroyed due to potential contamination from the water that penetrated the distillery.

ninety-5-sam_0928An unfortunate victim of all this disruption was those “Ninety” branded whiskies which temporarily disappeared from liquor store shelves as Highwood had to suspend production of this new brand in order to focus on re-establishing their other major brands across Canada. Fortunately for everyone, the brand was re-established a 5 and a 20 Year Old version.

Here is a link to my review of the number 22 spirit on my Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown:

#22: Ninety 5 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky

“… As the glass breathes, the wood spice and corn each seem to build with equal intensity. Although the mouth becomes heated with impressions of citrus zest, ginger and spice; the whisky remains soft and sippable with the underlying sweetness of corn and butterscotch providing a perfect complement to the spice …”

Stay tuned as the countdown continues on tomorrow with the number 21 Canadian Whisky. Chimo!

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

The Rum Howler – Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2016

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Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rums Countdown #23 – Bacardi Oakheart

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 2, 2016

2016rum_howler_badgeBacardi’s Oakheart Smooth Spiced Rum is one of those rare spiced spirits which shows firm signs of age in the glass. It is produced from a blend of column distilled rums which have been matured in charred oak barrels. This aged rum is then spiced to reach a flavour profile which walks the path of a vanilla accented by fragrant spices the combination of which is meant to compliment the aged rum but not to dominate it.

Oakheart and ColaHere is a link to the number 23 spirit in my Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rums Countdown:

#23 – Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum

“… I mixed a standard Spiced Rum and Cola with lots of ice. I have to admit that this relatively simple bar drink really surprised me. The spice really ‘popped’ on my palate with flavours of cinnamon, and baking spices making a very positive impression in the cola. In fact, I found myself mixing my Oakheart and Cola frequently over the next several days, and each time I was more impressed than the last …”

In mixed cocktails, the Bacardi Oakheart shines, and it seems each time I sample the spiced rum I became more impressed. This spirit has character which only comes from the time spent in an oak barrel, and this aged character adds real depth to cocktails and bar drinks.

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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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Run Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown: #23 – Crown Royal XO

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 2, 2016

rum-howler-top-50-2016Crown Royal® recently made an addition to its portfolio of Canadian Whiskies (January 16, 2014)) with the introduction of Crown Royal XO, which they have promoted as an “ultra-premium blended Canadian whisky”.  The whisky was crafted by Crown Royal Master Blender, Andrew MacKay and according to the fact sheet I was sent, it is a blend of more than 50 of Crown Royal’s finest whiskies which are finished in cognac casks from the French Limousin Forest.

According to Mr. MacKay:

sam_2662“The ultra-premium nature of Crown Royal XO and the smoothness of the liquid can be attributed to the handcrafted approach we took while creating the unique blend. We’re looking forward to sharing this special blend with adults across the country and encourage them to incorporate it into their celebrations of extraordinary moments and events.”

Here is a link to my review of the number 23 spirit on my Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown:

#23: Crown Royal XO

“… As the glass sat I began to sense some of that typically punky Crown Royal sweet corn aroma along with a few slightly musty ripe corn cobs alongside some spicy grain. I searched for an indication of the Cognac Cask enhancement and found a few apple scents wandering in the air and some very light indications of dry raisins …”

Stay tuned as the countdown continues  tomorrow with the number 22 Canadian Whisky. Chimo!

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

The Rum Howler – Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2016

Posted in Awards, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Run Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown: #23 – Crown Royal XO

Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rums Countdown #24 – Pumpkin Face White Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 1, 2016

2016rum_howler_badgePumpkin Face Rum is a brand of rum being distributed in Canada by Pure Global Imports. The rum inside the cool looking pumpkin shaped bottles is marketed as an ‘ultra premium’ Dominican Rum, bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume. The brand is owned by, Itsko Imports Inc of Beverly Hills, California.

SAM_0980 Pumpkin Face DaiquiriAccording to the Pumpkin Face Website:

“The pumpkin is a symbol of celebration to people around the world. The origin of the pumpkin can be traced to North American seeds dating back to 7000 BC. The word pumpkin comes from the word “pepon”, which is Greek for “large melon” and later changed by American colonists to “pumpkin”. Colonists would often slice off the pumpkin top, remove the seeds, and fill it with cream, honey, eggs and spices. They cooked the pumpkin in hot ashes until blackened then enjoyed its contents.”

Here is a link to the review of the Number 24 spirit on my Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Mixing Rums Countdown:

#24 – Pumpkin Face White Rum

“… I began with a Daiquiri, and I was impressed enough to build another. The lightly sweet characteristic of the rum melded beautifully with the lime resulting in a cocktail which contained whispers of butterscotch sweetness within a tart citric spiciness. I moved on to a Cuba Libre’ next, and was similarly impressed. Again it was that faint butterscotch flavour which seemed to allow the rum to meld with the cola bringing great enjoyment to the bar drink …”

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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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2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown: #24 – Forty Creek Confederation Oak (Lot 1867 F)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 1, 2016

rum-howler-top-50-2016In 2010 Forty Creek Whisky introduced Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve Whisky. What made this whisky unique was that it had been finished in Canadian Oak Barrels. These oak barrels were made from oak trees (growing only 40 miles from the distillery) which began their growth in Canadian soil approximately 150 years ago at the time of Confederation (The birth of Canada as a nation), hence the name Confederation Oak.

SAM_2635It has been 6 years since Confederation Oak Reserve Whisky was first released over that time the spirit has become one of the staple whiskies in the Forty Creek Whisky family. Each year a new batch is produced, and when I recently received a bottle from the newest batch (Lot 1867F), I decided to revisit the spirit to see how it has changed.

Here is a link to my review with the new scoring for this whisky:

#24 – Forty Creek Confederation Oak (Lot 1867 F)

“… This time the breezes bring me more obvious scents butterscotch and maple syrup. Rye notes (and the tempered wood spices) are melded within this light sweetness. As the glass breathes, I notice a bit of a bourbon flair with indications of corn whisky, vanilla, almond, honeycomb and damp tobacco all apparent as well in the air above the glass …”

Stay tuned as the countdown continues tomorrow with the number 23 Canadian Whisky. Chimo!

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

The Rum Howler – Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2016

Posted in Awards, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown: #24 – Forty Creek Confederation Oak (Lot 1867 F)