The Rum Howler Blog

Review: Romero Dark Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 31, 2020

The Romero Distilling Company bills itself as Western Canada’s Premier Craft Rum Producer. They are based in Calgary Alberta and are headed by the father and son team of Diageo and Thomas Romero. (Diageo, the father, is a Professional Engineer and Thomas, the Son is a MBA Graduate.) The distillery they built markets itself with a connection to Alberta’s rum running past.

The Romero Distillery produces a full line-up of rum and rum-like spirits, including an Amber, a Spiced and a Dark Rum, as well as a similar line of what they call Sugar Cane Spirit which is cane spirit which cannot legally be labeled as rum in Canada as it has not yet been aged for a full year in oak. (Note: In the USA there is no such regulation concerning age and the spirits could properly be called rum.)

Romero Dark Rum, the subject of this review, was distilled using Romero’s Canadian made hybrid copper pot still using Canadian Molasses and Glacier fed water from the eastern slopes of the Rockies. The spirit was matured in once used bourbon barrels from Woodford Reserve in Kentucky.

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Romero Dark Rum

“… Leads out with vanilla and caramel accented by cinnamon and clove. Nutmeg is found next with cardamom and black pepper trailing, I do not get a firm sense of sweetness from the molasses. It is apparent but laid back further than we would find in most traditional dark rums …”

Please enjoy my review which included my Suggested Cocktail, Frank’s Slide.

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Dark Rum, Review, Romero, Romero Distilling, Rum | Comments Off on Review: Romero Dark Rum

Review: Johnnie Walker Red Label

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 28, 2020

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 my research, Johnnie Walker Red Label has undergone a small change recently. When I published my last review in 2017 it was advertised as containing up to 35 grain and malt whiskies. Today (December 2020) the Johnnie Walker Website has this to say about its iconic blend:

Johnnie Walker Red Label is a powerful mix of up to 30 malts and grains. It’s a combination of light whiskies from Scotland’s East Coast and more peaty whiskies from the West, expertly balanced to create an extraordinary depth of flavour.

With up to 5 grain and malt whiskies no longer in the blend, it could be that we may notice some small changes in the flavour profile, so I thought an updated review might be appropriate.

Here is a link to the new review:

Review: Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Scotch Whisky

“… The initial aroma which rises into the breezes above the glass moderately complex with grain and fine oak spices accompanied by a light sweetness of butterscotch and hints of almond. There is a touch of boggy peat in the air and herbal notes which remind me of heather and menthol …”

Interestingly, my scoring indicates that I like the Red label blend just a little bit more than before.

Chimo!

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

Black Destroyer

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 26, 2020

Here is a cocktail I put together as an homage to Canadian-American writer A. E. Van Vogt, who was one of my favourite science fiction writers as I was growing up. His short story Black Destroyer (July 1939, Astounding Science Fiction) is credited by Isaac Asimov as being the seminal story which ushered in the Golden Age of Science Fiction.

My Black Destroyer is a delicious drink which pairs Cask Strength Rye Whisky with Pot Still Jamaican Rum, and an Agave based orange liqueur. It packs a powerful wallop so I recommend limiting yourself to one serving per evening.

1 1/2 oz Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Whisky
1/2 oz Rum Nation Jamaica Pot Still 7 Year Old Rum
1/2 oz Patrón Citrónge (Agave based Orange Liqueur)
1/3 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/3 oz Lime Juice
a few dashes of Angostura Cocktail Bitters
1/3 oz Sugar Syrup (1:1 ratio)
Ice
Grapefruit Twist

Add the ingredients into a metal shaker with plenty of ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
Strain into a cocktail glass
Garnish with a twist of Lime

Please Enjoy Responsibly!

And if you are interested in more recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for my mixed drink recipes!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: Black Destoyer, Cocktail, Dark Rum, Rye Whisky | Comments Off on Black Destroyer

Snowflake Spice

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 21, 2020

Today I am publishing my favourite buble sparkling water recipe in my run up to Christmas. These recipes were sent to my by the media team for buble sparkling water such that I might share them with my readers to help them celebrate the festive holiday season.

Please enjoy the recipe for Snowflake Spice:

Snowflake Spice

2 oz. limebubly
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
1 1/4 oz. Gin
1/4 oz. of fresh Lime Juice
Sprinkle of ground Cardamom
ice
Lime Wheel

Add all ingredients over ice in a tall glass
Garnish with a Lime wheel

Serve and enjoy responsibly!

Note: bubly sparkling water has no artificial flavors, no sweetners, and no calories

If you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

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Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: buble, Christmas, Cocktails and Recipes, limebuble, Smowflake Spice, sparkling water | Comments Off on Snowflake Spice

Review: Dictador 12 Year Aged Solera Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 21, 2020

Dictador Rums are produced in Colombia on the Caribbean coast at Cartagena de Indias City. Rather than being produced from molasses, the rum is produced from the virgin honey of sugar cane which has been distilled upon a stainless steel alembic, and aged using Dicatador’s unique take on the solera-style aging system. Although the rum is produced upon a stainless steel alembic, the inner workings of this still contain more than enough copper such that it functions in basically the same manner as a copper pot still.

The Dictador 12 Year Old Rum, is a solera aged rum which is taken from the aging barrels at the point where the age of the rum within that solera row is at least 12 years of age. Some older rum is certainly within those barrels as well.) This rum is bottle at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my updated review based upon my most recent tastings this December:

Review: Dictador 12 Year Aged Solera Rum

“… The nose is very pleasant, full of rich baking spices which include a brown sugary toffee rising from the glass as well as cinnamon, and vanilla. There is a light accent of marzipan which reminds me of toasted almonds and charred marshmallow. I also sense fresh and dry fruit and a complex oak profile …”

Please enjoy my updated review.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Colombian Rum, Dictador, Dictador 12, Review, Rum | Comments Off on Review: Dictador 12 Year Aged Solera Rum

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