The Rum Howler Blog

Review Crown Royal XO

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 17, 2015

Crown Royal XO bottle 2 Last year, (January 16, 2014) Crown Royal^® made an addition to its portfolio of Canadian Whiskies (in the USA) 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:

“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.”

For those of you familiar with the family of Crown Royal whiskies available in Canada, Crown Royal XO, sounds remarkably similar to the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 (click on the link for my previous review) which according to the Crown Royal (Canadian) website, is also a blend of more than 50 different aged Canadian whiskies which are finished in Cognac casks from the Limousin forest in France.

Here is a link to my full review which includes information regarding how these two blends differ as well as how they compare:

Review: Crown Royal XO

“… The initial aroma from the glass revealed sweet butterscotch and maple rising into the air with a combination of light but firm rye accents and fine wood spices. 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 …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a new cocktail suggestion, Crowning Glory.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Cocktails, Crown Royal, Crown Royal XO, Crowning Glory, Diageo, Whisky, Whisky Review | 2 Comments »

Review: Captain Morgan Grapefruit Flavoured Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 14, 2015

Grapefruit Smitten

Several weeks ago I received my sample bottle of Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum (as well as bottle of the new Pineapple and Coconut Rums) and I promised to review it (and the others) here on my website. These new flavours are each five times distilled and of course made from cane molasses. Each of the expression blends natural fruit flavors with CAPTAIN MORGAN® White Rum, resulting in a spirit which can be enjoyed as a summer cocktail mixer.

According to Dan Kleinman, Vice President of Marketing, Rums for Diageo North America:

“This summer, we’re looking for consumers to flip over their hammocks and have a little fun with their mojitos and daiquiris by enjoying our new pineapple, coconut and grapefruit extensions. After last year’s successful launch of CAPTAIN MORGAN® White Rum, we wanted to expand our offerings in the category. These flavors allow adult fans to diversify their cocktails, providing them with a taste of the Caribbean no matter where they may be responsibly enjoying our products.”

Here is a link to my first review of the flavoured series from Captain Morgan:

Review: Captain Morgan Grapefruit Flavoured Rum

“… the grapefruit flavour of the spirit is refreshing, and this fruit flavour is accompanied by a mild rum-like sweetness which not only compliments the dominant grapefruit, it enhances it as well taking the flavoured rum to a level of enjoyment that I had not expected …”

Please enjoy my review, and if you have a chance to grab a bottle of the Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum, do try my simple cocktail suggestion, Grapefruit Smitten; it is simply delicious!

Posted in Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Captain Morgan, Diageo, Flavoured Rum, Grapefuit, Rum, Rum Review | 2 Comments »

Review: Forty Creek Evolution

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 10, 2015

Forty Creek Whisky has for the last number of years produced a special limited release whisky and allowed the public to participate in the release by offering to let you choose your own numbered bottle. As well you can have your bottle signed by their own Master Distiller and Whisky Maker, John Hall, when you arrive to pick up your pre-ordered bottles. These special release whiskies are built upon the foundation of the company’s flagship whisky, Forty Creek Barrel Select, and are basically versions of this whisky which have spent additional time finishing in selected oak barrels.

Forty Creek Evolution is the eighth annual special Limited Edition Release from Forty Creek Whisky. Most of the whiskies in this blended Canadian Whisky began their journey 12 years ago. These whiskies were aged in American White Oak for 3 years, then selected barrels were re-distilled in Forty Creek’s copper pot still to further concentrate their flavour. The resulting whisky was then re-barreled in French Oak casks that had previously held Kittling Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, and then aged for an additional 9 years. As a final step John Hall selected some of his personally held barrels to blend into the final product.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Forty Creek Evolution

“… I received a mild indication of sweet caramel and butterscotch which were playing with rye spices and a touch of menthol. When I gave the glass a little time to develop I began to notice some dry scents of freshly baled straw and the chaff reminiscent of the scents and smells of a fresh fall harvest when the newly harvested grain has still left its imprint in the air above the straw windrows …”

Please enjoy my review and enjoy the coming weekend which is shaping up to be a good one!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Canadian Whisky Re, Evolution, Forty Creek, Whisky | 7 Comments »

Review: Old Monk The Legend

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 7, 2015

Old Monk The legend I was sent a sample bottle of Old Monk Legend by the local Alberta distributor, Madira Spirits Inc. and asked if I could provide a review here on my website. This version of Old Monk is a limited edition bottling which was launched in 2013. The rum arrives in a special bottle in the shape of a bust presumably of H.G. Meakin, the founder of Meakin & Co. Ltd., who was perhaps, the original Old Monk. Old Monk Legend does not have an age statement, although the small box the rum arrives in makes the claim that the rum inside is a blended masterpiece meant for rum connoisseurs.

Old Monk is a dark rum brand produced by Mohan Meakin Limited in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. According to the information I received, it is a molasses distilled rum, blended and aged for a minimum of 7 years. The Old Monk brand receives very little attention from the press, and does not appear to be represented in any advertising campaigns which I have seen. Rather Old Monk relies upon word of mouth and customer loyalty for its sales. Word of mouth must be good as this rum is (again according to information I received) the second largest selling dark rum in the world.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Old Monk The Legend

“… In the breezes above the glass the Old Monk Legend does not seem to have the same forceful push of cinnamon and clove that its brethren did. Those elements are there, but I sense more fine oak spice and less overt pungent spice (and less molasses) in the Legend. There also seems to be a tad more orange peel, banana, and butterscotch …”

Please enjoy my final look at the Old Monk line-up (for now anyways).

Chimo!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Dark Rum, Indian Rum, Legend, Old Monk, Review, Rum, Rum Review | Comments Off on Review: Old Monk The Legend

Review: Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 26, 2015

Spiced Darwin

Captain Morgan Rum traces its history back to 1945 when Seagram’s CEO, Samuel Bronfman, negotiated the purchase of the Long Pond Distillery from the Jamaican Government and formed the Captain Morgan Rum Company. The company’s iconic rum brand, Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum was based upon a recipe purchased from two local Jamaican pharmacists, the Levy Brothers, who had developed the recipe using rum from the Long Pond Distillery. The brand is now owned by the Diageo Conglomerate, and their Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum is the best-selling spiced rum in the world. The subject of this review revisitation, is the lessor known Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum, which, is a blend of clear, rich Puerto Rican white rum and tropical spice with sweet vanilla character. It is bottled at 35% alcohol by volume. Here is a link to the full review which includes a great cocktail of mine, the Spiced Darwin:

Review: Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum

“… The initial aroma is pleasant with a pleasing (but very mild) mixture of butterscotch and vanilla rising into the breezes. I sense some tropical fruit (mango, banana and orange peel) and light accents of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Also rising into the breezes is a very light oakiness…. “

Please enjoy the review, Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: Captain Morgan, Cocktails, Rum, Silver Spiced, Spiced Darwin, Spiced Rum | Comments Off on Review: Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum

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