The Rum Howler Blog

Review: Sortilège (Canadian Whisky and Maple Liqueur)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 3, 2012

In Canada we are lucky because maple is practically a national flavour. Even as far away from Maple Syrup Country as the Canadian Rockies (where certainly no maple trees grow) you will find little bottles of real Canadian Maple Syrup for sale in all of the souvenir shops. We have another passion. We also love our Canadian Whisky. So it is not surprising that we have several brands of flavoured spirits which are based upon Canadian Whisky and Maple Syrup. Sortilège is one of these brands, and it has recently entered my marketplace here in Alberta.

Sortilège is a Canadian Whisky based liqueur produced by Mondia Alliance Wine and Spirits in Montreal, Canada. It is, of course, produced from Maple Syrup and Canadian Whisky. The product arrives in either a 375 ml or a 750 ml bottle and is sold at 30 % alcohol by volume. The bottle I am reviewing is the smaller 375 ml configuration, and it was given to me by the local rep for Mondia Alliance for the specific purpose of a review here on my website.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… As the glass sits the maple seems to weave in and out of the breezes dancing merrily with sandalwood and oak, always with the spicy smells of Canadian Rye Whisky bubbling through. The spiciness appeals to me as it reveals tantalizing glimpses of cinnamon, ginger and fruity rye spice …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Sortilège (Maple Syrup Liqueur)

I have included a nice ‘smoothie’ style recipe for your enjoyment called the Maple Leaf Smoothie.

Please enjoy the review and the recipe!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Liqueur | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Liqueur Review, Maple Liqueur, Maple Whisky, Sortilège | Comments Off on Review: Sortilège (Canadian Whisky and Maple Liqueur)

Review: Glenrothes Select Reserve Scotch Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 1, 2012

The Glenrothes Whisky is a good example of a typical Speyside Scotch Whisky. It carries malt and spice at the forefront of its flavour, and because of its well-rounded ‘speyside’ character this malt has been in use for decades as one of the important blending whiskies in some of the most famous Scottish Blends such as Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse. In fact, if you are a blended Scotch drinker and feel the inclination to move to the Single Malts, you will find the Glenrothes Blends to be an excellent introductory malt in which to begin the journey.

The Select Reserve was blended by Malt Master “John Ramsey” to serve as the signature malt to represent the character of the Glenrothes Distillery. In order to capture the essence of Glenrothes, the Malt Master used whiskies from a variety of vintages, and from a variety of aged oak barrels (both Spanish Oak and American Oak). Thus a spectrum of flavours from this variety of ages and oak is apparent in the final single malt blend. The whisky carries no age statement as the selection of casks from which to construct the final blend is based upon the final taste profile not upon the age of the selected casks.

Here is an excerpt from my review (written in December 2009):

“… Vanilla and oak spies are met by a wave of fruity sweetness, which when combined with the anise and heather, creates a banquet of complex flavour in the mouth. The Select Reserve is a blend of Scotch of differing ages, and barreled in differing oaks. This, I am sure, gives rise to the abundance of complexity…”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Glenrothes Select Reserve Scotch Whisky

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Glenrothes Whisky, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Review: Glenrothes Select Reserve Scotch Whisky

Review: Nemiroff Premium Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 29, 2012

Nemiroff Premium Vodka was introduced as an elite-class vodka when it first appeared in the Ukrainian market in March of 1999. According to the Nemiroff website, this premium vodka is produced from a triple distilled spirit which must undergo ten stages of purification/filtration. The final spirit is polished to for clarity with a specially prepared absorbent. As with all Nemiroff Vodkas, only natural ingredients and are used in its production.

I received a sample bottle, and was asked to review the Nemiroff Premium Deluxe Vodka the local importer of Nemiroff Vodka here in Alberta, Canada.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The nose of the Nemiroff vodka when served at this temperature displays a very mild lime citrus with touches of bread dough and a few vaguely sweet and minty scents above the glass. When the Vodka is introduced to my mouth it coats my tongue and my palate with a nice creaminess, and the flavour matches the nose, especially with those light wisps of lime citrus). A spicy grain-like warmth fills the mouth and back of the throat upon swallowing. There is a lingering aftertaste of lime soda….”

You may link to the full review here:

Review: Nemiroff Premium Vodka

Please enjoy the review, and the suggested cocktails which I have provided!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: Nemiroff, Premium Vodka, Ukranian Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Review | Comments Off on Review: Nemiroff Premium Vodka

Review: Glenfarclas 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 26, 2012

This review continues my series of examinations of the Glenfarclas Single Malt line-up. I have previously reviewed the Glenfarclas 12 Year, the Glenfarclas 21 Year, and the Glenfarclas Cask Strength 105. These reviews have been facilitated by Pacific Wine & Spirits Inc who have provided samples for me to assess and who kindly invited me to a tasting event hosted by George Grant, the Sales Director for the Glenfarclas Distillery where I was able to sample the entire core range of Glenfarclas whisky. 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.

All of the Glenfarclas whisky is matured in two styles of oak barrels, plain oak barrels which have previously contained Bourbon or Scotch Whisky, and Spanish oak which has previously contained Oloroso or Fino Sherry from Seville. The barrels are stored in traditional ‘dunnage’ warehouses which date from the late 1800s. The Glenfarclas 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky which is the subject of this review has been bottled at 43 % and is produced from both first fill sherry casks and refill bourbon casks.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…This whisky is rich and luxurious on the nose. Chocolate, coffee, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cardamom and wonderful oak spices all rise up in a veritable bouquet for the nostrils. The whisky show its age in the glass but it also shows its character with a complex oakiness which is almost perfectly melded into the 30-year-old sherried whisky…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Glenfarclas 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky

Please enjoy my review!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Glenfarclas, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Review: Glenfarclas 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky

Review: Effen Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 24, 2012

A few months back a good friend of mine (actually Lance from Liquorature) gave me a bottle of Effen Vodka. It has taken me a while to put the spirit on my review schedule, but recently I invited a few friends over for a Sunday Afternoon Vodka tasting, and I had the chance to taste this spirit alongside four other premium spirits.

Effen Vodka, is produced from wheat grown in Northern Holland which has been continuously distilled at (what their website says is) a lower temperatures than other Vodkas to avoid caramelization of the sugars during distillation. The product is filtered five times through a patented ‘bottom-up’ process which apparently pumps the spirit up through the filtrate.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… I noticed the spirit was extremely creamy when served at a temperature that was just above freezing. I let my nose take a few cautious sniffs. My first impression was that this spirit was what I would call grainy and medicinal. It had a light vegetal aroma reminding me of a raw alcohol which had just been distilled…”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Effen Vodka

As well I have included a recipe for a brand new cocktail I call, the Green NV.

Please enjoy my review and my cocktail suggestion!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Effen Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Review | Comments Off on Review: Effen Vodka

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