Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 18, 2012
We have come to my final posting with regards to the 2012 Rum Howler Awards. This is The second half of my Rum awards where I determine the Best of the Best in the world of Rum.
White Rum, Spiced Rum, Flavoured Rums and Mixing Rums have all been examined to determine the best that 2012 has given us for our cocktail enjoyment. As well I have examined the best sipping rums aged from four years in oak all the way to fifty. When it comes to sipping rums, age matters, but not necessarily as much as you might think. It has been a great year in rum for The Rum Howler, and it is time for me to reveal Part 2 of the 2012 Rum Howler Awards for Excellence in the Production of Rum. These Awards are for the Best and Greatest Rum Spirits which I encountered in the year 2012.
Here is the link:
Posted in Awards, Dark Rums, Flavouerd Rums, Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum, White Rums | Tagged: Dark Rum, DrinkWire, Flavoured Rum, Rum, Rum Howler Awards, Rum Review, Spiced Rum, Super-Premium Rum, White Rum | Comments Off on The Year In Rum (Part 2 – The Best of Rum)
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 17, 2012
Don Julio is a 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila made from agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. As a highland tequila,we can expect the Don Julio to exhibit strong fruity citrus notes and to have a little hot pepper in the finish. The company was established by Don Julio González, who apparently began to examine the prospect of making his own Tequila in 1942. He established his distillery called, La Primavera, and spent nearly forty years refining his Tequila into the spirit which now bears his name.
The Don Julio Reposado is aged in American white-oak barrels for eight months. The spirit is currently owned by the Diageo Conglomerate, and I was provided with a 375 ml sample for this review by their Northern Alberta Marketing Agent.
Here is an excerpt from my Review:
“… The initial aroma rising into the breezes above the glass is that typical herbaceous agave aroma which is lightly peppery or spicy, somewhat earthy and somewhat fruity. I am reminded of baked squash, white pepper, and spicy citrus zest (reminiscent of grapefruit)… “
You may read the full review here which also includes the recipe for one of my favourite tequila Cocktails, Metro Mexico:
Please enjoy the review and of course my great cocktail recipe.
Cheers!
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Reposado Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Don Julio Tequila, Reposado Tequila, Tequila Review | Comments Off on Review: Don Julio Reposado Tequila
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 14, 2012
Today, I am continuing my 2012 Rum Howler Awards by selecting the best rum from the various rum producing regions of the world. After all, it is not just the Caribbean Islands which make great rum. Rum is produced in almost every part of the world where sugar cane is grown. And in some cold weather climes (like Canada), where they cannot grow the cane, there is a long tradition of buying rum in bulk from various rum producers and then blending their own unique styles. As with my other awards to date, all of the awards I am presenting today are based upon side by side tasting sessions held over a period of several weeks. I began over two months ago slowly tasting different Rums side by side bringing only the very best forward for the final tastings which took place over the past month.
Here is a link to my 2012 Rum Howler Regional Rum Awards:
Enjoy my award selections!
Posted in Awards, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Dark Rum, DrinkWire, Rum, Rum Howler Awards, Rum Review | Comments Off on The Year in Rum – Part 1
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 13, 2012
This Sunday, November 18th, the Edmonton Golf and Country Club (6201 Country Club Rd NW, Edmonton) will be the location for an extraordinary tasting event hosted by George Grant, the Sales Director for the Glenfarclas Distillery where the entire core range of Glenfarclas Whisky will be discussed and of course, tasted. (Mr. Grant is part of the 6th generation of the Grant Family who originally purchased the distillery in 1865. His family still controls and manages the distillery today.)
The line-up for the tasting will be as follows:
Price: – $65 per ticket
Please call 780-904-2684 for more information!
(This is quite truthfully an impressive range from one of the only remaining distilleries in Scotland which is independently family owned and managed. I hope I see some of my readers there. Sláinte!)
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Posted in Extras, Festivals and Events, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: George Grant, Glenfarclas, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Tasting Event, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Tasting the Glenfarclas Range with George Grant
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 13, 2012
The Chenin Blanc is a very versatile white grape wine varietal which can produce wines of any level of sweetness from dry table wine to sweet dessert wine. These wines are generally recognized for their high level of acidity and for their long aging potential. The variety is commonly associated with the Loire Valley in France where the varietal has been grown for nearly 1300 years.
At the Château de Targé (in the Loire Valley) the Chenin Blanc grape varietal is harvested at three different maturity levels to produce three different wines. A hand-picked harvest of just ripe grapes is used for the Brut Blanc, over matured grapes are picked for the Fresnettes and sometimes, although not every year, grape clusters are allowed to Botrytize (noble rot) to concentrate their sweetness thanks to the famous fungus, (Botrytis Cinerea) to make Coteaux de Saumur dessert wines.
It is the Chateau de Targe (Chenin Blanc) Coteaux de Saumur 2009 which is the subject of this review. Here is an excerpt:
“… The wine displays a pale yellow straw colour in the glass with an initial nose which brings strong green apple and fresh peach aromas into the air. A honeyed sweetness is obvious, but there is also a nice spicy intensity about the nose which is appealing. As the glass rests, tart almost ripe green grapes, stronger apple notes and more spice rise into the breezes… “
You may read my full review here:
Please enjoy this review of a most excellent dessert wine!
Posted in Dessert Wine Review, Wine Reviews - Port | Tagged: 2009, Botrytized Wine, Chateau de Targe, Chenin Blanc, Coteaux de Saumur, Dessert Wine, Review | Comments Off on Review: Chateau de Targe (Chenin Blanc) 2009
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