The Rum Howler Blog

Review: Sheringham Seaside Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 17, 2020

Sheringham Distillery is located in Sooke B.C., a locale which overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Southern Vancouver Island. The name ‘Sheringham” is an homage to the name original name given to the area in 1846. When the first postal service arrived and the first Post Office was built, the name Sheringham was shortened to ‘Shirley’ so that it would fit properly on the postage stamp. (The Distillery was originally located at Shirley B.C which is about 20 minutes north of Sooke.)

Sheringham Seaside Gin is produced from B.C. grown white wheat and malted barley, natural botanicals and sustainable hand-harvested local winged kelp (Alaria marginata). Named botanicals on the back of the bottle also include, juniper, Coriander, Citrus, Rose, Anise and Lavender. The spirit has won a string of awards, a Silver Medal at the San Fransisco Spirit Awards in 2017, a CASC Gold medal in 2018, and in 2019 at the World Gin Awards the spirit was named World’s Best Contemporary Gin.

I served Sheringham Seaside Gin at a tasting event I held for my friends, and some of the commentary included in the review includes their thoughts as well as my own.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Sheringham Seaside Gin

“… The Seaside gin was bringing a beautifully balanced aroma of juniper accented with bright citrus and spicy coriander into the air. There was a nice floral flair accompanying those olfactory sensations, and meandering within all of that was a light breezy quality that reminded everyone of the seashore perhaps even with a hint of salt …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my serving suggestion, The Lady of the Empire.

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: Review, Seaside Gin, Sheringham, Sheringham Distillery, Winged Kelp | Comments Off on Review: Sheringham Seaside Gin

Review: Cane Island Nicaragua Rum (12 Years Old)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 17, 2020

Cane Island is a rum brand owned by Infinity Spirits, who appear to be based in Amsterdam. The purpose of the Cane Island Brand appears to be to showcase Rums which are sourced from a single distillery from iconic Island rum nations in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the world. Each one of these countries has a long history of rum production with their own styles and traditions.

Cane Island Nicaragua Rum was distilled at an undisclosed distillery in Nicaragua. The spirit was column distilled from molasses and tropically aged for 12 years in ex bourbon barrels. The spirit is bottled at 43 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my review of a truly exceptional rum:

Review: Cane Island Nicaragua Rum (12 Years Old)

“… The rum is smooth, and I taste a delicious mixture of vanilla, oak spice, butterscotch and orange peel. Some grassy tobacco is apparent, as is an underlying nuttiness that reminds me of almonds. Baking spices (cinnamon and hint of nutmeg) and a fruity impression of canned apricots …”

Earlier in the month I stated that Don Omario’s Vintage Rum was the finest in the 2020 – 24 Day’s of Rum Advent Calendar. Cane Island Nicaragua has me re-examining that statement.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 12 Years Old, Cane Island, Nicaragua Rum, Review, Rum | Comments Off on Review: Cane Island Nicaragua Rum (12 Years Old)

Review: Perth Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 16, 2020

Top Shelf Distillers are located in Perth, a town in Eastern Ontario, located on the Tay River, about 80 kilometres southwest of Ottawa. At one time, Perth was home to four distilleries the two most famous of which (McLaren and Spalding & Stewart) were located in limestone buildings alongside the Tay River catering to the tastes of the early Scottish settlement by producing malt whisky similar to the Scottish style of the day. Prohibition (the Ontario Temperance Act of 1916) is largely blamed for the demise of the distilling industry in Perth; but now, just over one hundred years later, Top Shelf Distillers have began to once again bottle whisky in Perth.

Their Perth Whisky is a recent release and they have only limited quantity available, (35 cases currently in the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Control (AGLC) warehouse in a 500ml format bottle). They have also began to bottle the spirit in a 750ml format, and one of those bottles was sent to me for review. According to the information given to me, Perth Whisky is produced from from locally sourced ingredients, and is aged in both new American Oak charred barrels, as well as various used barrels from some of the larger distillers.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Perth Whisky

“… I like the leathery smells which remind me of both fresh leather and graham wafers. Light baking spice and almond round out the aroma, which while not being overly complex, nevertheless promises a robust grain flavour …”

Please enjoy my review of Top Shelf Distillers brand new Perth Canadian Whisky!

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Perth Whisky, Reivew, Top Shelf Distillers | Comments Off on Review: Perth Whisky

Review: Zaka Trinidad Rum (7 Years Old)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 16, 2020

Zaka Rum is a third party rum company headed by a chap named Bruno Le Merle. The Rum brand bases its identity upon the the relationship between Zaka (who is apparently a traditional Voodoo God of Agriculture and Peasants) and the planters, farmers, or producers who are associated with the manufacture of rum. This relationship appears to be one of mutual respect for the sugar cane crop and the environment in which it grows.

Zaka Rum currently contain three expressions, one from Trinidad, one from Mauritius, and one from Panama. The subject of this review is Zaka Trinidad Rum which is a blending of 7 to 10 year old cane spirits which were column distilled from molasses and aged in ex-Bourbon oak barrels.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Zaka Trinidad Rum (7 Years Old)

“… mild buttery feel in the mouth with firm flavours of butterscotch and almond mingling with fine wood spices and heated orange peel. Vanilla and some light coconut flavours are present as is some winding grassy tobacco …”

Please enjoy my review.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 7 Years Old, Review, Trinidad Rum, Zaka | Comments Off on Review: Zaka Trinidad Rum (7 Years Old)

The North Pole Chiller

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 15, 2020

The Christmas season is truly upon us, and just to stay in the spirit of holiday, I will continue to share festive recipes that everyone can enjoy this December. To that end, the media folks from bubly sparkling water (they apparently do not like to use capital letters) sent me a variety of easy to make recipes so that I can share them here on my website. I looked them over and chose a few which appealed to me.

The first of these recipes is a simple but tasty construction called The North Pole Chiller:

The North Pole Chiller

1 1/2 oz. Vodka
5 oz. cranberrybubly
Splash of Cranberry Juice
ice
Sprig of Rosemary
Cranberries

Fill a tall serving glass 1/2 full of ice
Add Vodka and cranberrybubly
Freshen with a splash of Cranberry juice
Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary

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: bubly sparkling water, Christmas, Cocktails and Recipes, cranberrybubly | Comments Off on The North Pole Chiller

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