The Rum Howler Blog

Review: By the Dutch Batavia Arrack (Rum)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 10, 2020

By The Dutch is a spirits company formed in 2015 with the goal to broaden the international awareness of traditional handcrafted and premium spirits of Dutch heritage. Their Batavia Arrack is an Indonesian Rum distilled on Java Island. Their Bativia Arrack is a 100 % sugar-cane based spirit produced from of a range of Pot distilled spirits. Traditionally, Bativia Arrack uses a fermentation process includes the addition of local (red) rice. This sets it apart from traditional Rum, and some jurisdictions refuse to allow Bativia Arrack to be labeled as rum even though the spirit is derived from sugar-cane.

By The Dutch Bativia Arrack has been produced in the traditional method, however, for the purpose of this review, I may refer to the spirit as both Batavia Arrack and as Indonesian Rum.

Here is a link to my recently expanded review:

Review: By the Dutch Batavia Arrack (Rum)

“… The nose is filled with oak spice and straw mingling with butterscotch, orange peel, and almond. I sense a light wisp of something vegetal which reminds me of cachaca. Ginger, banana coconut and melon all seemed to have joined in and the result is quite pleasing …”

Please enjoy my review.

Chimo!

Posted in Batavia Arrack, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Batavia Arrack, By The Dutch, Indonesian Rum, Review, Rum | Comments Off on Review: By the Dutch Batavia Arrack (Rum)

Review: Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt – Peated Release No. 12

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 8, 2020

In 2009, the folks at Yukon Brewing decided that it was time to expand their horizons, and so they grabbed a still, formed the Yukon Spirits Company, and began to make whisky. When I first learned about this a few years ago I was a little surprised. The Yukon is quite a ways north and it is not a place where you would naturally think of folks making beer, let alone whisky. Then again it just might have been the perfect place for both the start-up beer and spirits companies. You see up in the North, they like to support one another, and it wasn’t long before Yukon Brewing and Yukon Spirits were doing a nice business supplying northern communities.

Their whisky is made in small batches which they release one at a time. Each release is made with a variety of malted roasted grains, using different fermentation techniques and a mixes of different barrels. The goal is that no two releases are the same, so that as each expression emerges, it is layered and complex and probably never to be repeated. Having said that the releases can normally be slotted to fit into one of four specific categories: Classic, Peated, Special Finishes, and Innovative.

A few years ago I reviewed Yukon Brewers Peated Single Malt Release No. 3 (here). Today I am revisiting their Peated Releases by taking a look at their recent Peated Release No. 12.

Here is a link to my review:

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt – Peated Release No. 12

“… The style of peat features an oily muskiness which almost reminds me of cod liver oil. A damp swamp is hinted at with boggy willow and herbal grass. It is nice that the malt whisky within the dram is able to break free and show us some of its grain spice and malt characteristics in the breezes as well …”

Please enjoy my review.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: No. 13, Peated Release, Review, Two Brewers, Yukon Single Malt | Comments Off on Review: Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt – Peated Release No. 12

Review: Scapegrace Small Batch Dry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 6, 2020

Scapegrace Dry Gin is produced in New Zealand, by Rouge Society Distilling. Their New Zealand gin was of course called Rouge Society Gin which worked out quite well until it was pointed out that a beer company in America had a similar name. This prevented Rouge Society from being able to export their gin into the European Union as the beer company apparently got their first. Looking for a new name, the rouge gentleman settled upon Scapegrace which apparently is an eighteenth century word for rouge.

The company produces three gins, their Premium Dry Gin which is the subject of this review, a Premium Gold Dry Gin and a Premium Black Dry Gin.

The Premium Dry Gin is apparently produced upon a 19th century John Dore Still using 12 classic botanicals, juniper, orange peel, lemon peel, coriander seeds, nutmeg, cardamom pods, angelica root, cloves, licorice root, orris root, cinnamon sticks, cassia bark, and dried tangerine.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Scapegrace Small Batch Dry Gin

“… Juniper and licorice play alongside fresh citrus zest and lightly spicy cardamom notes. These scents and aromas all seem softened somewhat with a touch of warm earthiness implied. Faint wisps from the other botanicals seem to weave in and out. The cinnamon and nutmeg add just a touch of pungency to the breezes, and hints of both orange and lemon appear and disappear …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my serving suggestion, the Gin Martini.

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: Gin, Review Dry Gin, Rouge Society Distilling, Scapegrace | Comments Off on Review: Scapegrace Small Batch Dry Gin

Review: Beefeater London Dry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 5, 2020

Beefeater London Dry Gin is currently produced in Kennington, a district of South East London, in the United Kingdom. The company has roots stretching back to 1820 when the Chelsea Distillery was constructed on Cale Street and served as the first home for Beefeater Gin. The founder of the company, James Burrough, was not born until 1835, and it was not until about 1876 that the Beefeater brand was created from gin produced at the Chelsea Distillery. Over time the brand has changed locations twice, first in 1908 to Hutton Road, and then in 1958 to its present location in Kennington.

The Beefeater Gin website lists nine ingredients which are used to flavour the gin: Juniper, Lemon Peel, Seville Orange Peel, Almonds, Orris Root, Coriander Seed, Angelica Seed, Angelica Root, and Licorice Root. The list classic ingredients for a typical London Dry Gin.

In Canada, the Beefeater spirit is sold at 40 % abv.. Here is a link to my latest review:

Review: Beefeater London Dry Gin

“… As I sniff the glass I get the impression that I am going to find the Beefeater Gin to be a very laid back and gentle spirit. Soft piny notes of juniper and earthy notes of licorice arise beside fresh scents of orange and lemon zest. A touch of coriander spiciness is present as well …”

Please enjoy my fresh look at Beefeater London Dry Gin, which concluded with my suggested cocktail the Beefeater, Lime and Tonic (The BLT).

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: Beefeater, Gin, London Dry Gin, Review | Comments Off on Review: Beefeater London Dry Gin

Review: Mezcal Jaral de Berrio (Joven)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 4, 2020

Mezcal Jaral de Berrio is produced at the Hacienda del Jaral de Berrio. The Hacienda is located in the historic borough of San Felipe Torres Mochas, Guanajuato with origins that date back to the late 16th century. According to bibliographic data and historical stock inventories, production of mezcal at the site can be dated to 1764 when it was then known as aguardiente criollo del Jaral.

According to the Jaral de Berrio website:

The family of Mezcales de la Hacienda de Jaral de Berrio is one of the most emblematic among the Mezcal world due to its historical background.

The Mescal produced at the Hacenda is made not from Blue Weber agave, but instead from the maguey species Salmiana (Salmiana Otto Ex Salm SSP Crassispina Trel Gentry). Salmiana is a large maguey (agave) with shades of green which grows twice as large as typical agaves. This maguey varietal has grown naturally in Guanajuato mezcal region of Mexico for centuries.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Mezcal Jaral de Berrio (Joven)

“… When the glass is given some time to breathe, the lightly vegetal agave notes become more distinctive. The breezes bring me impressions of mushy banana, grilled pineapple and a growing impression of white pepper and cilantro. Although I said the impressions were distinctive, it would also be true to say that the overall effect is mild. The maguey is not aggressive, and I do not notice any of the distinctive smokiness which is often associated with Mezcal …”

Please enjoy this review which includes my cocktail suggestion, the Trovador.

Chimo!

Posted in Mezcal | Tagged: Jaral de Berrio, Joven, Mezcal, Review | Comments Off on Review: Mezcal Jaral de Berrio (Joven)

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