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Review: Alberta Premium Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 5, 2012

Alberta Premium is the flagship whisky of Alberta Distillers Limited (ADL). The whisky is one of the few 100 % rye grain whiskies in the world. In fact, according to Davin de Kergommeaux, of  Canadian Whisky, ADL produces more 100% rye whisky than every other distillery in North America combined! This makes the people at ADL, perhaps the world’s most renowned experts on rye whisky.

This also means that Alberta Premium, the flagship whisky  from the distillery renowned for its rye whisky, must be pretty good. And in fact, Jim Murray, one of the world’s most renowned whisky critics, not only thinks this whisky is good, he thinks it is great! For years he has extolled the virtues of the Alberta Premium in his Whisky Bible even naming it the best Canadian Whisky in 2006, 2007, and 2009. (The year that is missing, 2008 was the year that Alberta Premium 25 Year Old won the award.)

Of course this is my website, and although I respect the opinions of others, it is my opinion that is presented. And for my opinion, you must follow the link to my review:

Here is an excerpt:

“…The initial nose from the glass is of a fruit-filled rye with very obvious notes of vanilla. There is a presence of oak and a touch of citrus zest in the background. As the whisky decants the fruit gains momentum as does the oak, and I also begin to sense a light touch of almond in the breezes….”

The full review my be read here:

Review: Alberta Premium Canadian Whisky

Please enjoy the review, and remember that the aim of my website is to help you choose better spirits, not to help you drink more spirits!

Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Alberta Premium Canadian Whisky

Review: Plantation Guatemala Gran Anejo Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 3, 2012

The Plantation Guatemala Gran Anejo is a Guatemalan rum blend which is produced from sugar cane syrup (rather than molasses) on a short column still. The rum is aged for a minimum of four years in bourbon casks in Guatemala after which it is transported from Guatemala to France by Cognac Ferrand to be placed in used Cognac casks for a finishing time of five months. The rum was bottled at 42 % alcohol by volume as part of Cognac Ferrand’s growing line-up of Plantation Rum.

I was sent a sample bottle of the Plantation Guatemala Gran Anejo by Cognac Ferrand for the purpose of a review here on my website. Here is an excerpt:

“… The chocolate aroma seems to grow in the glass more quickly than I was expecting, and I am really loving the effect it is having on my senses, I can barely restrain myself from stealing a sip before I allow the glass to fully decant… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Plantation Guatemala Gran Anejo Rum

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Plantation Guatemala Gran Anejo Rum

Review: StrathIsla 40 Year Old (Gordon and MacPhail)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 29, 2011

Gordon and Macphail (who own the Benromach Distillery) is an independent family owned and managed firm which acts as a retailer, a wholesaler, an exporter, and a bottler of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This particular whisky, the StrathIsla 40 Year Old Single Malt from Gordon and MacPhail is of course sourced from the Strathisla Distillery which is in the City (town) of Kieth, in the County of Banff, and is located in the Speyside region of Scotland. According to the Gordon and Macphail website, the whisky was drawn from aged stocks of first fill and refill Sherry casks.

I opened my bottle of this whisky last June when my beloved Boston Bruins won their first Stanley Cup in 39 years. Over the course of the summer (and this fall), I have slowly sipped and sampled away about half of my bottle, and I finally decided that a review was in order.

Here is an excerpt from that review:

“… I encountered a bit of floral peat welling up into the breezes with a strong smoky influence of dried fruit. This aroma is full of prunes and dates, and has a rather subdued oaky backdrop. The aroma is a little demanding, but not unpleasant…”

Review: StrathIsla 40 Year Old (Gordon and MacPhail)

Please enjoy the Review!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: StrathIsla 40 Year Old (Gordon and MacPhail)

Review: Traveller’s White Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 22, 2011

Traveller’s White Rum is another product of Traveller’s Liquors Limited. This is the second White Rum in their portfolio and is designed to be a full-bodied white rum suitable for bringing robust character into the cocktail experience.

I was given a bottle of Traveller’s White Rum by Blake Christensson of Traveller’s Liquor Canada for the purpose of this review:

“…The Traveller’s White Rum has a clean mouth-feel with a light softness in the mouth. The caramel/butterscotch flavour of the rum is mild, and to be honest the first sip of rum continues to give me a tequila-like impression. (Don’t worry rum drinkers, there is none of that hot pepper that tequila is famous for.) The flavour impression I do receive on the palate is lightly earthy and somewhat grassy, with the rum carrying very light dollops of citrus flavour and lime zest…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Traveller’s White Rum

I have included a couple of nice cocktails with the review including the Rum and Tonic, and the Mojito.

Please enjoy my review and the included cocktails, cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Traveller’s White Rum

Review: Cristal Parrot Lite Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 20, 2011

Cristal Parrot Lite Rum is a product of Belize, the northern-most mainland country of Central America. A former British Colony, Belize lies just south of Mexico with the Caribbean Sea to the east and Guatemala to the west and south. Traveller’s Liquors Limited has been involved in the production of rum in Belize since the early 1960s originally working with independent distillers. In 1989 Travellers acquired full control of their own distillery and has remained in full control of their own brands ever since.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The aroma from the glass carries a soft rummy caramel accented by cotton candy and perhaps a hint of mint. It is lightly vegetal indicating to me that very little if any aging has occurred. If you give the glass a little time to decant, the aroma turns slightly grassy and the caramel notes build up slightly.  Things are pleasant …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Cristal Parrot Lite Rum

Included in the review are a couple of nice cocktails including my own, Red Sky Morning.

Please enjoy the review and the suggested cocktails!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Cristal Parrot Lite Rum