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Edmonton’s First Annual Tequila Fest

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 1, 2012

Edmonton’s First Annual Tequila Fest

Fantasyland Hotel Conference Centre
Friday, October 19th, 2012: 6:00-9:00 pm
Call for more information
780-483-1083 or Email: info@aligrawineandspirits.com
With Tequila Fest in the Subject line

Posted in Festivals, Festivals and Events, Rum, Tequila | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

Review: Sahara Dry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 30, 2012

Highwood Distillers is a Canadian distillery situated in the town of High River, Alberta, which lies just about 40 minutes due south of Calgary, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. I have visited the distillery and watched first hand as they turned the local wheat into whisky, vodka. and gin. Sahara Dry Gin is produced in the London Dry style. This spirit is produced from Canadian wheat and naturally sourced Rocky Mountain water. Juniper, Citrus of Lemon, and other botanicals are all added during the final distillation.

This is s very dry gin. So dry in fact, that the folks at Highwood named it Sahara. I was provided with a sample bottle of this gin from the folks at Highwood Distillers (early in the summer) for the purpose of a review on my website.

Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“… The nose has a laid back quality of juniper and lighter accents of lemon and grapefruit. There is a bit of an alpine scent mingled with the juniper and perhaps some scents of willow thicket, meadow grass, and spring flowers. Everything is all rather mellow; but it is also rather enjoyable …”

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Sahara Dry Gin

I have also provided a very nice ‘cooler’ style cocktail to enjoy with the Sahara, one I call the Jumping Buffalo Cooler. Please enjoy my review and my suggested cocktail.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Sahara Dry Gin

Review: Cálem 10 Year Old Tawny Port Wine

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 29, 2012

I came upon the chance to review this particular Cálem Port Wine quite by accident. When Woodman Wines and Spirits learned I was looking for a suitable aged Tawny Port in my mad desire to construct a new and original “Millionaire Punch”. They suggested that they could send me a bottle of the Cálem 10 Year Old Tawny for the recipe’s construction. The Cálem Tawny had all of the characteristics I was looking for, and I agreed to receive the bottle. Since I would not need the entire bottle for my punch recipe, I decided I would review this wine here on my website as well.

In case you are wondering, my “Millionaire Punch” was an unmitigated disaster, and I regret that 4 oz of this wonderful Port Wine was subjected to my dreadful experiment.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… In the glass, the tawny port exhibits a rich aroma of dry fruit, (prunes, dates and raisins) and brown sugary baking spices (Vanilla, cinnamon and Demerara sugar). I also notice some nice fresh fruit scents welling up which remind me of blackberries, fresh BC cherries and red currant. A few freshly bitten dark plums, some ripe raspberry, and a touch of coffee and chocolate round out the breezes above my glass. This is very nice… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: Cálem 10 Year Old Tawny Port Wine

I had planned on revealing my “Millionaire Punch” as part of this review, but I rather think it best that I advise you to enjoy this Port Wine in the manner in which it was intended, as a wonderful after dinner treat.

Enjoy the review!

Posted in Dessert Wine Review, Tawny Port Wine, Wine Reviews - Port | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Cálem 10 Year Old Tawny Port Wine

Review: Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 28, 2012

The Whistling Andy Distillery is a locally owned micro-distillery located in Bigfork, Montana. They advertise that they are Veteran owned, and are proud of utilizing American made equipment (a hand-made Vendome Cooper and Brassworks still from Louisville, Kentucky) and American only grown grains (all of the grains are from the Flathead Valley), fruits, and botanicals. Their rum by the way is made from molasses and cane from the South. The Distillery is named for Roger Anderson, father of Distiller, Brian Anderson, whose nickname in the Air Force was Whistling Andy.

The subject of this review, Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum, was apparently developed to pay homage to both the 1950′s surfer, and to Whistling Andy’s Hand Crafted Rum. It is flavoured with real hibiscus and coconut. I was provided with  375 ml review sample by the distillery, bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume. (This product is being brought into Canada by Purple Valley Imports.)

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“… The rum has a rich reddish brown colouration, and the immediate nose has a lightly sweet floral aroma which reminds me of cranberries and Nanking cherries. (This floral cherry-like aroma is I believe very similar to the aroma of the hibiscus flower.) The coconut is much more subdued, at times I seem to sense the coconut in the breezes above the glass combined with the impression of ripe banana; but I would say that the cherry-like hibiscus scent is more obvious… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum

Please enjoy the review, Cheers!

Posted in Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum

Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 27, 2012

Ron Zacapa Rums are made from sugar cane harvested in southern Guatemala, which is pressed into virgin sugar cane honey, a process unique to the Guatemalan style of rum production. This liquid is then fermented, distilled and taken to the mountains for aging, where the flavor of the rums is further refined through the premium aging process known as Sistema Solera.

The Ron Zacapa Centenario XO is blended from these solera aged stocks which range in age from 6 years to 25 years.  These stocks were aged in special cellars more than 7000 feet above sea level. The solera barrels are a mixture of reused American Bourbon, Sherry, Pedro Ximenez wines, and Cognac barrels. The combination of solera aging and the wide variety of reused barrels creates a highly complex rum with a rich aroma and flavour.

I recently received a Ron Zacapa Tasting Kit in the mail which for me was the perfect excuse to revisit my previously published review for the Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“….Richness and luxury ooze from the nose of this sweet nectar. Scents of mild toffee and spice combined with a rich oak and vanilla aroma rise from the glass to the delight of my nostrils. There seems to be a light orange citrus weaving through the aroma. The spices I can identify by smell are vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg with just a hint of cloves…”

You may link to the full review here:

Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

BTW:  The review includes a decadent cocktail called The Royal Batiste.

Cheers Everyone.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

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