The Rum Howler Blog

Review: Greenall’s Original London Dry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 13, 2021

Greenall’s Gin is produced by Britain’s oldest distilling company, (G & J Greenall), where the spirit is produced using the same London Dry method that has been used at that distillery since 1761. According to the company website:

Greenall’s The Original London Dry Gin remains unchanged from the original recipe, closely guarded by just seven master distillers in our 250-year history. Today we continue to build on this classic, award winning recipe as we create new and original gins, just as our founder did all those years ago.

And build on it they have, and G and J Greenall are not only the oldest distilling company in Britain, they also produce almost 70 % of the gin and vodka in the UK acting as a third party distiller for many other brand owners.

Greenall’s Original London Dry Gin is a tradition dry gin with juniper at the heart of its botanical mix. Other botanicals are said to include coriander, lemon peel, cassia bark and ground almond.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Greenall’s Original London Dry Gin

“… A classic dry gin with juniper, citrus zest, soft licorice and hints of spicy coriander. The impression I get is that everything has been tempered so that no particular botanical is highlighted (except perhaps the juniper). Although the profile is classic, it is sort of a tempered classic …”

Please enjoy my first gin review of 2021.

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: Dry Gin, Gin, Greenall's, Greenall's Original Dry Gin, Original, Review | Comments Off on Review: Greenall’s Original London Dry Gin

Review: Johnnie Walker Double Black

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 11, 2021

Johnnie Walker is one of the most iconic whisky brands in the world. With its unique square bottle, and the labels tilted off-center, the company has created a strong brand image and its spirit is considered by many to be the quintessential Scottish whisky. The company has been operating since 1820, and has grown steadily to become one of the most important Scottish whisky brands in the world today.

According to the Johnnie Walker website:

Johnnie Walker Double Black was created by Master Blender Jim Beveridge as a darker, smokier interpretation of the world famous Johnnie Walker Black Label. Johnnie Walker Double Black is matured in heavily charred casks and uses a greater proportion of characterful West Coast and Island whiskies to elevate iconic flavours to a new level of intensity.

Unlike Johnnie Walker Black Label which carries a 12 year age statement, Johnnie Walker Double Black is not an age stated brand.

Here is a Link to my full review of the recently introduced Double Black:

Review: Johnnie Walker Double Black

“… Herbal peat combined with light oak spice. Butterscotch and light notes of menthol as well as tar and perhaps hints of iodine and salt. Perhaps there is a bit of swampiness welling up which reminds me of a grassy wetland. Fine black pepper, and citrus zest give an indication of some alcohol heat and fine oak spiciness …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my suggested serving, the Rusty Nail.

Chimo!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: Blended Scotch, Diageo, Double Black, Johnnie Walker, Review, Whisky | Comments Off on Review: Johnnie Walker Double Black

Review: Rhum J.M. V.O

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 8, 2021

Rhum J.M. is located in the village of Macouba, in the northern part of Martinique. The facility sits at the base of iconic volcano Mt. Pelée. The company produces AOC Rhum Agricole from estate-grown sugarcane, and is said to be the first recorded distillery to produce Rhum Agricole.

The word “rhum” is the French spelling for our English word “rum”. However, the differences between Rhum and Rum are often much deeper than just a twist in spelling. This is because the traditions of making rhum in the French West Indies differs from the traditions of rum production in the rest of the Caribbean. The major difference in the production of Agricole Rum is that it is distilled from fermented sugar cane juice rather than fermented molasses. As well Rhum Agricole is usually single distilled to 70 per cent abv., and then brought to bottling proof after it is aged.

Here is a link to my first Agricole Rhum review of 2021:

Review: Rhum J.M. V.O

“… Richer and more developed than I would expect from a 3 Year Old Spirit with enticing maple and caramel combined with with leathery oak, vanilla and almond. Hints of cinnamon and touches of wood sap complete the nose ….”

Please enjoy my review.

Chimo!

Posted in Agricole, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: AOC Rhum Agricole, Review, Rhum J.M., V.O | 3 Comments »

Review: Herencia de Plata (Blanco) Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 6, 2021

Herencia de Plata Blanco Tequila is a 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila produced by TEQUILAS DEL SEÑOR, S. A. DE C. V., a mid-sized, fourth generation family company located in Guadalajara, Mexico. The company was founded in 1943 and currently produces a number of tequila brands which include, Reserva del Señor, Sombrero, Tekali, Herencia Histórico, and of course Herencia de Plata.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Herencia de Plata Tequila

“… The aroma from the glass is somewhat soft and earthy with hints of honey caressed by a very light smoke and even lighter vanilla. A smattering of white pepper and of zesty lime has risen into the breezes, and that punky agave scent we know so well has melted nicely into the citrus and pepper …”

Please enjoy my review which features a recipe for my Blue Lament cocktail.

Chimo!

Posted in Blanco Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: Herencia de Plata, Reserva del Señor, Review, Tequila | Comments Off on Review: Herencia de Plata (Blanco) Tequila

Review: Canadian Club Chronicles Issue 3 – 43 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 4, 2021

For each of the past three years Canadian Club has been releasing Canada’s oldest age stated Whisky. And each year that release has been getting one year older. It started in 2017 with the Canadian Club 40 Year Old .

Canadian Club 40 Year Old was produced from a selection of American Oak barrels which contained 100% corn whisky. The whisky was released in part to commemorate Canada’s 150 Anniversary, and was available with full distribution across Canada in the fall of 2017. In 2018 we learned that Canadian Club hadn’t emptied all of those 100 % Corn Whisky Barrels, those that hadn’t been used were now one year older. In the fall of 2018, Canadian Club released what they called Canadian Club Chronicles – 41 Year Old Whisky (The Water of Windsor), again using some of those same barrels; but this time adding a small amount of cognac, rye and sherry to the final blend. Then in 2019 the cycle was repeated as Canadian Club released Canadian Club Chronicles Issue 2 – 42 Year Old Whisky (The Dock Man). This time to offer some distinction in the blend, the whisky was blended with a 16 Year Old Rye Whisky, a 12 Year Old Pot Distilled Rye and a small amount of Brandy.

Which brings us to 2020 and the release of Canadian Club Chronicles Issue 3 – 43 Year Old Whisky (The Speakeasy) which has apparently been freshened with a dash of 11 Year Old Rye whisky. I recently tasted the new 43 Year Old and thought I would share my thoughts.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Canadian Club Chronicles Issue 3

“… The nose grows and grows as you let the glass breathe becoming almost breathtaking as the richness unfolds. Rum-like scents of molasses, Cognac-like aromas of raisins and dry fruit, Bourbon-like notes of corn and honeycomb seem to be all combined together with sticky marmalade and yummy nougat thrown in for good measure. And yes, that dash of rye seems to be playing a roll brightening the breezes without taking the shine from the sumptuous aroma …”

Please enjoy my first review of 2021. Later this week I’ll be taking a look at Rhum J.M. V.O from Martinique.

Until then, Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: 43 Year Old, Canadian Club, Canadian Whisky, Chronicles Issue 3, Review, The Speakeasy, Whisky | Comments Off on Review: Canadian Club Chronicles Issue 3 – 43 Year Old

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