The Rum Howler Blog

Edmonton Whisky Festival: Master Class with Whisky Insider – J. Wheelock

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 11, 2014

Edmonton Whisky Festival

Master Class with Whisky Insider – J. Wheelock

Featuring: BenRiach, Compass Box, Dalmore, GlenDronach, & Whyte & Mackay

Where: Edmonton Delta South Hotel

When: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM)

Ticket Price: $25.00 each

The 2014 Edmonton Whisky Festival is proud to introduce to Edmonton, Whisky Insider, J. Wheelock. Based in Calgary, Alberta, J.’s role is to connect with like-minded individuals, groups and establishments, from the Prairies to the Pacific, espousing the virtues of the whiskies he’s been charged to represent. His schedule is chock-a-block full of meetings and events held by various whisky appreciation groups, where he works on building relations and cultivating connoisseurs who have the very same passion for whisky that attracted him to the business eleven years ago, when he started with the famed family of whiskies held by The Edrington Group (Macallan, Highland Park and The Famous Grouse). Having recently joined the Authentic Wines and Spirits team in Calgary (Dalmore, Jura, Glendronach, BenRiach, Compass Box), his philosophy has not changed.

“My vision is to help establish Canada as a major consumer on the world stage, which ultimately means we get more of the unique and hard-to-find bottlings. I like to call it ‘collective selfishness’.”

J. is also responsible for connecting his brands with people in the spirits trade, from staff at some of the country’s top bars and white table clothed-restaurants, all the way to swanky speakeasies and stalwart pubs.

“Some just want the basic knowledge in order to enhance their sales abilities. Others want to get to the heart of the brands and become ambassadors in their own right. The range of what is available in Canada is better than ever, and there’s always something to talk about.”

For more information please contact:

Vines – Riverbend Wine Merchants (Edmonton)
Telephone: 434-9444
Email: info@vineswinemerchants.com

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tickets are now available from Vines or through the new website: (http://edmontonwhiskyfestival.ca/)

Posted in Howls | Comments Off on Edmonton Whisky Festival: Master Class with Whisky Insider – J. Wheelock

Review: Flor de Caña (Añejo Clasico) 5 Year Old Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 9, 2014

FDC Anejo Clasico (New)

Flor de Caña has a history of rum production which is dated to 1890 at the San Antonio Sugar Mill, in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua. The company was founded by Francisco Alfredo Pellas and today, over 120 years later, the company is led headed by the fifth generation of the Pellas family. It has grown to be not only one of Central America’s leading brands of rum, it is also one of the most recognized rum brands in the world. According to the company website, all of the Flor de Caña rum is produced from molasses which is made from sugar cane harvested in fields adjacent to the distillery in Chichigalpa. This molasses is fermented and then distilled five times in a continuous column still. The resulting distillate is laid down to age in small American white oak barrels in traditional aging warehouses built without air conditioning in an undisturbed environment.

The subject of this review, Flor de Caña (Añejo Clasico) 5 Year Old Rum, is meant for sipping over ice, or for enjoying in fine cocktails and mixed drinks. You may read my full review by clicking on the following link:

Review: Flor de Caña (Añejo Clasico) 5 Year Old Rum

“… the caramel scents deepen and combine with that oak spice which brings a more defined toffee-like aroma into the breezes above the glass. There are also light baking spices present (primarily nutmeg and vanilla), some orange peel accents as well as a light nuttiness which resembles freshly crushed walnuts and pecans …”

Note: As explained in the review the 5 Year Old Añejo Clasico is the same rum as the former 5 Year Old Black Label, Flor de Caña has made changes to the image and presentation, but have not made any changes to their rum’s flavour profiles. I was given the bottle for this review by the local distributor, The Kirkwood Group who distribute the Flor de Caña rums in Alberta.

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Aged Rum, Anejo Clasico, Dark Rum, Flor de Cana Rum, Rum | Comments Off on Review: Flor de Caña (Añejo Clasico) 5 Year Old Rum

Edmonton Whisky Festival: The Macallan Masterclass with Brand Ambassador – Dan Volway

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 8, 2014

Volway Edmonton Whisky Festival

The Macallan Masterclass with Brand Ambassador – Dan Volway

Where: Edmonton Delta South Hotel

When: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM)

Ticket Price: $25.00 each

The 2014 Edmonton Whisky Festival is proud to welcome, Dan Volway, trained Sommelier and former Instructor with the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers at Niagara and George Brown College.

For years Dan had imbibed on fine wines until a longtime friend introduced him to scotch whisky and effectively converted his grape biased palette to appreciate the nuances of fine hand-crafted scotch. As his repertoire expanded, Dan fell madly in love with The Macallan, Highland Park and Famous Grouse – brands known across the globe for their heritage, quality and unrivaled approach to whisky making. When the opportunity arose to represent his favourite scotch portfolio in Western Canada, Dan jumped at the chance and was willing to move across the country from Toronto to Vancouver to fulfill his duties as Brand Ambassador.

Dan’s role is to connect with like-‐minded individuals, groups and establishments from the Prairies to the Pacific, exposing the virtues of the whiskies he’s been charged to represent. His schedule is filled with meetings and events held by various whisky appreciation groups, where he works on building relationships and cultivating connoisseurs who share the very same passion for whisky that attracted him to the business. Dan is also responsible for connecting his brand with people in the spirit trade with staff from some of the country’s top bars and prestigious restaurants all the way to swanky speakeasies and stalwart pubs.

If you are already have tickets to the Edmonton Whisky Festival, why not add a voluptuary adventure exploring The Macallan Single Malt Whisky with Brand Ambassador Dan Volway!

“It’s a real privilege to be in a position to share my knowledge and passion for Scotch whisky with aspiring scotch enthusiasts and experts, alike,” Dan says. “If I can help to bring a special epicurean experience to someone with humour, warmth and insight, then I feel as though I’ve done my job.”

For more information please contact:

Vines – Riverbend Wine Merchants (Edmonton)
Telephone: 434-9444
Email: info@vineswinemerchants.com

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tickets are now available from Vines or through the new website: (http://edmontonwhiskyfestival.ca/)

Posted in Festivals and Events | Tagged: Dan Volway, Edmonton Whisky Festival, Master Class, Scotch Whisky, The Macallan | Comments Off on Edmonton Whisky Festival: The Macallan Masterclass with Brand Ambassador – Dan Volway

Review: Drambuie (Scotch Whisky Liqueur)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 7, 2014

I receive all manner of gifts related to my website from friends and family. One such gift received this Christmas was a bottle of Drambuie which I found under the Christmas Tree this past holiday season. The gift was tagged with a request that I review the spirit, and let everyone know my thoughts.

According to the Drambuie Website, the unique flavour of this liqueur is the result of infusing a secret blend of spices (the site mentions heather, honey and herbs) with a blend of grain and aged malt whiskies from Speyside and the Highlands regions of Scotland (some of which may be aged up to fifteen years). The original recipe for the spirit was apparently created for “Bonnie Prince Charlie” in the 18th century by his Royal Apothecary.

You may read my full review of by clicking on the following link:

Review: Drambuie (Scotch Whisky Liqueur)

“… The aroma from the glass is indeed honey sweetened carrying hints of heather and herbs within that sweetness. I also detect a little hot cinnamon in the breezes (perhaps some nutmeg and cloves as well) mixing with mild aromas of orange citrus zest. The combination of herbs and spice brings more than just a hint of menthol to mind …”

For your enjoyment, I have included a recipe for the classic cocktail, The Rusty Nail, at the end of my review.

I hope the New Year is treating everyone very well, Slanite!

Posted in Liqueur, Whisky Liqueur | Tagged: Cocktail, Drambuie, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Rusty Nail, Scotch Whisky Liqueur | Comments Off on Review: Drambuie (Scotch Whisky Liqueur)

Edmonton Whisky Festival Bourbon Masterclass with Whiskey Ambassador – Matt Jones

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 6, 2014

Edmonton Whisky Festival

Bourbon Masterclass with Whiskey Ambassador – Matt Jones

Where: Edmonton Delta South Hotel

When: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM)

Ticket Price: $25.00 each

The 2014 Edmonton Whisky Festival is proud to introduce to Edmonton, classically trained mixologist and performance bartender, Matt Jones. Matt has a wealth of experience in the alcohol beverage industry – over 15 years of experience in various roles including instructor, foodservice and hospitality consultant, public speaker and media spokesperson. The role that is his favourite is that of Whisky Ambassador, tapping into his passion for whisk(e)y.

Since 2010 he has been Beam Inc. Canada’s Whisk(e)y Ambassador for their Bourbon Portfolio (Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Devil’s Cut, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s) as well as speaking to whiskies from Cooley (Kilbeggan, Connemara, Tyrconnell), Canadian Club (Reserve, Classic, Sherry Cask) and most recently as the mixologist for Alberta Premium’s Dark Horse Rye. In this role, he has educated and inspired both consumers and bartenders across Canada.

If you are already attending the Edmonoton Whisky Festival, why not join Matt Jones(Aka The Whisky Chef) as his Master Class takes you through a tour of the wonderful the world of Bourbon!

Note: Matt has also appeared as a bartender/mixology expert on shows on the Food Network, SLICE Network, and “W” Network. Other appearances include CityTV Breakfast Television (Toronto), Rogers Daytime, CHCH News, CTV and CBC News. He has also written and provided content for numerous articles on spirits and whisk(e)y.

For more information please contact:

Vines – Riverbend Wine Merchants (Edmonton)
Telephone: 434-9444
Email: info@vineswinemerchants.com

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tickets are now available from Vines or through the new website: (http://edmontonwhiskyfestival.ca/)

Posted in Festivals and Events | Tagged: Bourbon, Edmonton Whisky Festival, Master Class, Matt Jones, Whisky Chef | Comments Off on Edmonton Whisky Festival Bourbon Masterclass with Whiskey Ambassador – Matt Jones

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