The Rum Howler Blog

Review: POLIAKOV Lemon Flavoured Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 26, 2015

Easy Lemon Martini In late November, I received an email from the Export Marketing Assistant for the independent French spirits group, La Martiniquaise. He was writing to me from Farnace to see if I would be interested in sampling some of the revamped new flavoured range of POLIAKOV Vodka. As it was explained to me in his email, the company is attempting to bypass the prevailing “flavour fatigue” which they feel reigns within the flavoured vodka category, and rather than conjuring up new exotic flavours which are probably unfamiliar to their customers, the revamped Poliakov range focuses on ‘within-reach flavours’ which are familiar to their customers.

I agreed to taste some of the POLIAKOV flavoured range, and William arranged for me to receive three flavours, POLIAKOV Vanilla, Peach and Lemon Flavoured Vodkas.

This is the last of the three postings, my review for POLIAKOV Lemon Flavoured Vodka:

Review: POLIAKOV Lemon Flavoured Vodka

“… As with the other POLIAKOV flavours I have reviewed, (the Vanilla and Peach Flavoured Vodkas), the initial aroma from the glass seems to represent a relatively clean aroma of the highlighted flavour rising into the breezes with a light hint of sugar cane and perhaps a few hints of grain spice. The aroma is akin to the smell of lemon drop candies, but less intense and certainly less sweet …”

I have included two nice recipes with the review one from POLIAKOV, which is called Yellow Delight, and one of my construction which I call, the Easy lemon Martini.

Please enjoy this review and of course the included recipes!

Posted in Flavoured Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails, Easy Lemon Martini, Flavoured, Flavoured Vodka Review, Lemon, Poliakov, Review, Vodka, Yellow Delight | Comments Off on Review: POLIAKOV Lemon Flavoured Vodka

Review: Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniversary Blend

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 24, 2015

Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniv Blend_2 In 2014, Crown Royal^® Master Blender, Andrew MacKay created a limited edition whisky to commemorate the brand’s 75 year anniversary. According to Mr. MacKay:

“Crown Royal was originally created for royalty, crafted over time and the fact that the whisky is still being enjoyed 75 years later is really special to all of us at Crown Royal. We’re excited to share this special limited edition blend with consumers and look forward to celebrating many more years of unmatched whisky.”

Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniversary Blend is perhaps a little more rye-forward in its approach than previous Crown Royal whiskies. This is because the Monarch is produced from a blend of whiskies which include rye whisky from the distillery’s Coffey rye still. As you will see from the review, the rye from this historic still makes a real impression upon the flavour profile of the Monarch Whisky.

Horse’s Neck

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniversary Blend

“… The Crown Royal Monarch is an excellent whisky which features a nice melding of sweet maple and butterscotch flavours within a firm oaky character. Although the whisky features more rye than other Crown Royal Whiskies, the influence I taste is of an earthier stye of rye (almost like sourdough rye bread) which combines very well with the traditional punky corn forward flavour profile of Crown Royal …”

The added rye makes this Crown Royal Whisky a perfect candidate for the traditional tall Canadian Whisky cocktail, Rye and Ginger. which is also known by its more obscure name, a Horse’s Neck.

Please enjoy my review and my suggested cocktail recipe.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Cocktails, Crown Royal, Diageo, Horse's Neck, Monarch, Whisky, Whisky Review | 2 Comments »

Introducing Captain Morgan’s New Flavoured Rum Line-up

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 22, 2015

Capmorgflav On February 11, 2015, Captain Morgan introduced three flavors to its fleet of rums, CAPTAIN MORGAN® Pineapple Rum, CAPTAIN MORGAN® Coconut Rum, and CAPTAIN MORGAN® Grapefruit Rum. These new Caribbean flavors are each five times distilled and of course made from cane molasses. Each of the expression blends natural flavors with CAPTAIN MORGAN® White Rum, resulting in a spirit which can be enjoyed as a summer cocktail mixer.

According to my 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.”

From Dusk Till Daiquiri

The marketing team for Diageo sent me samples of all three of the new flavoured rums for review on my website, and in the coming weeks I will be giving each new flavour a try, and I will publish the results of my investigations here on the website.

Until then I though you might like to try these new Captain Morgan recipes created by their cocktail gurus specifically for each rum (click on the links to view the recipes):

From Dusk Til Daiquiri

The Shark Puncher

The Piña Thunder

As part of the marketing 2015 campaign, the Captain Morgan Rum Co. will be bringing these flavors to music festivals, pool parties and summertime spots across the country throughout the year 2015. If you encounter these flavoured rums, please enjoy responsibly.

And of course please stay tuned for my upcoming reviews!

Posted in Flavouerd Rums, Rum | Tagged: Captain Morgan, Coconut, Flavoured Rum, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Rum | Comments Off on Introducing Captain Morgan’s New Flavoured Rum Line-up

Review: JP Wiser’s Spiced Whisky No. 9 (Torched Toffee)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 21, 2015

Torched Toffee Lemon Sour A few years ago Wiser’s introduced Wiser’s Spiced Whisky (Vanilla) to the Canadian market. My understanding is that this new spiced whisky brand was very successful, and as a result, the company decided to further develop their spiced whisky portfolio. As part of this redevelopment, Wiser’s Spiced Whisky (Vanilla) was re-branded as JP Wiser’s Spiced Whisky No. 5 (Vanilla), and another flavoured/spiced whisky brand was introduced, JP Wiser’s Spiced Whisky No. 9 (Scorched Toffee).

I recently received bottles both new flavoured whiskies, and have decided to review each here on my website.

Here is a link to the review the review for JP Wiser’s Spiced Whisky No. 9 (Torched Toffee).

Review: JP Wiser’s Spiced Whisky No. 9 (Torched Toffee)

“… Butterscotch, maple and vanilla led out as the Torched Toffee whisky certainly rides on the sweeter side of the palate. There is a bit of bitter treacle riding along which I guess must be the torched toffee. There is a bit of spicy heat as well which reminds me of ginger and cinnamon …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a nice recipe, Torched Toffee Lemon Sour.

Enjoy Springtime folks, even it did not come in like a lamb this year. Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Spiced Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Cocktails, Flavoured Whisky, J.P. Wiser's, Lemon Sour, No. 9, Review, Spiced Whisky, Torched Toffee, Whisky | Comments Off on Review: JP Wiser’s Spiced Whisky No. 9 (Torched Toffee)

Review: Old Monk Supreme Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 19, 2015

old monk spreme Today I am continuing my series of reviews of the Old Monk rums from India. Old Monk is a dark rum brand produced by Mohan Meakin Limited in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. According to the information I received from the importer (and which I gleaned from Wikipedia), their Old Monk Supreme is a molasses distilled rum, which although it carries no age statement, will have been aged for approximately 12 years in oak casks (in the tropical climate of India). It is sold as a special limited edition bottling sitting perhaps slightly up the rungs of the Old Monk ladder from the (previously reviewed) Old Monk Gold Reserve Rum (12 Years Blended) and certainly as a more premium version of the (previously reviewed) Old Monk Very Old Vatted Rum (7 Years Old Blended).

You may read my full review of the Old Monk Supreme by clicking the following link:

Review: Old Monk Supreme Rum

“… Molasses flavours dominate the Old Monk Supreme with dry peppery wood spices adding additional character. These wood spices carry elements of cinnamon, clove, dry tobacco, and hot black pepper. As the glass sits and the rum is allowed to evolve, I begin to taste dark brown sugar mixed with baking spices and vanilla, as well as strong cocoa flavours, cola, and black tea …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a suggested chocolate pairing, Valrhona Lait Jivari, which is a creamy, smooth milk chocolate from Ecuador. (Read the review to learn more.)

Cheers Everyone!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Aged Rum, Chocolate, Dark Rum, Mohan Meakin, Old Monk, Pairing, Rum, Rum Review, Supreme | 3 Comments »

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