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Review: Bowmore 15 Year Old (Darkest)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 3, 2011

The Bowmore Distillery is the oldest of the Islay Distilleries in Scotland, (and it is one of the oldest distilleries in all of Scotland). It sits at the edge of the sea on the craggy coastline of the Hebridean Island, and has sat there since 1779. This location close to the sea and of course close to the rich Islay peat has been linked to the distinctive floral and smoky character of the Bowmore Whisky. This character is a result of rich peat flavours being absorbed by the barley as it dries under the peated fire of the malt drying kiln, and of the whisky aging in the famous Bowmore seaside vaults (which are below sea-level) as the briny seaside air is allowed to mingle with the oak aging casks.

The Bowmore Darkest 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky is part of the core range of Bowmore Single Malts. This whisky is matured in American Bourbon Casks and then ‘finished’ for 3 more years in Spanish Sherry casks. I was given a small set of 3 200 ml sample bottles of the Bowmore 12, the Bowmore 15 (Darkest) and the Bowmore 18 year Old Single Malt Whiskies for review here on my website. My review of the Bowmore Darkest 15 Year Old is the second review in the series.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“…As the glass breathes, scents of charred caramel build as do the individual aromas of oak and peat. I sense a bit of boggy willow thicket and a little bit of muddy creek bottom in the glass as well. The dried fruit and chocolate from the sherry cask continue to pour out of the nose enveloping the other scents, and the overall effect is quite nice…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Bowmore 15 Year Old (Darkest)

Please enjoy the Review!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Bowmore 15 Year Old (Darkest)

Review: Nemiroff Lex (Super Premium Vodka)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 30, 2011

Lex is the Super Premium Vodka from Nemiroff which was introduced in Ukrainian markets in 2003. It is a very interesting premium vodka spirit produced from grain alcohol which has been aged in wood for six months. According to information supplied to me by Igor Kashkan (the local importer of Nemiroff Vodka), the spirit undergoes eleven stages of purification, and then the resulting spirit is enhanced with aromatic spirits from natural oats and the Linden Blossom. According to the Nemiroff website, the recommended manner in which to enjoy the Lex Vodka is to sip it slowly, savouring its unique qualities neat. Complicated cocktails and/or drinking the Lex as a ‘shot’ style vodka is not recommended.

However, I am a bit of a contrarian, and so I prefer to analyze this spirit in the same manner as I have analyzed the other Vodkas I have reviewed, and I will partake in shots and cocktails to arrive at my own conclusions and share them with you.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The initial aroma of the vodka presented tantalizing glimpses of a spicy grain in combination with a warm sweetness and a mild lemon citrus. I am thinking that this sweet lemon citrus must be the Linden Blossom which the Nemiroff website says is evident in the aroma of the vodka…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Nemiroff Lex (Super Premium Vodka)

As well I have included a recipe suggestion (which really isn’t a recipe at all) called The Russian Soldier.  Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Nemiroff Lex (Super Premium Vodka)

Review: Alchemia Imbirowa (Ginger Flavoured Vodka)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 28, 2011

Alchemia Vodka is distilled in Poland by a company called, Bialystok S.A., which is apparently one of Poland’s largest producer’s of distilled spirits. Alchemia Imbirowa (pronounced eem-beer-ova ) is a premium grain distilled vodka from Poland infused with natural ginger root. The infusion process saturates the already distilled vodka with the flavouring ingredient allowing both colour and flavour to be imparted to the final spirit.

I was given a sample bottle of Alchemia Imbirowa for the purposes of this review by Paul Charabin of PB Beverages, an Alberta based company which imports and distributes a wide selection of spirits from around the world. The bottle I was given was the 750 ml size, and the label tells me the ginger infused vodka is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…There is far more sweetness than what was evident on the nose and the mouth-feel is somewhat syrupy. The ginger is also very apparent quickly heating the mouth with a peppery sharpness. I have been experimenting lately with flavoured syrups for cocktails and this reminds me of what I imagine a ginger syrup would taste like. ..“

You May read the full review here:

Review: Alchemia Imbirowa (Ginger Flavoured Vodka)

As well I have included a new twist on the classic Cosmopolitan which I have chosen to call the Ginger Cosmopolitan.

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Alchemia Imbirowa (Ginger Flavoured Vodka)

Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum Update

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 26, 2011

My Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum Review has aroused the curiosity of almost everyone who visits my website, and that’s why it has become my most ‘clicked on’ review of all time. I thought I should provide an update for my readers because the Big Black Dick Rum website referred to in my review shut down barely two weeks after my original review. (We hope my review was not responsible.)

However, I can now let everyone know, after much hard work on my part, that I have found the new website for Big Black Dick Rum.  The Rum is now featured on the Blackbeard’s Trading Co. Ltd. website. The new website is not quite as ‘colourful’ as the old website, but it still advertises that “stiff, yet tasty” flavour of the Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum!

And for those few who never read my original review of this Dark Caribbean Rum, here is an excerpt:

“….I would have expected this rum to have more thrust and energy in the delivery, but instead it is rather limp and subdued as if waiting for you to arouse its charm. What is found instead of charm is a molasses and dark caramel laden rum. Prunes, raisins, and dates rest with a leathery tobacco deeper down adding a bitterness that sits beside the sweeter molasses. …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum

Posted in Dark Rums, Flavouerd Rums, Howls, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum Update

Review: Plantation Barbados 2000 (Old Reserve Rum)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 26, 2011

The Plantation Barbados Old Reserve 2000 is a Bajan rum blend distilled from both column and traditional pot stills, aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. The rum was transported from Barbados to France by Cognac Ferrand to be placed in used Cognac casks to enhance the rum before it is bottled as part of Cognac Ferrand’s growing line-up of Plantation Rum.

Cognac Ferrand has long had a special relationship with a variety of Caribbean rum producers. This relationship is based upon the rum producer’s need for quality oak casks to age their rum. Based upon this relationship, Cognac Ferrand is able to acquire certain old and unique batches of rum from various Caribbean sources, which they brought back to France to finish in their own Cognac Casks.

I was given eight sample bottles, each 200 ml in size, which represent a good portion of the Plantation Rum line-up. The Plantation Barbados Old Reserve 2000 is the second of these sample bottles which I have chosen to review here on my blog. (My first Review was the Plantation Granada 1998)

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The rum leads out with caramel and molasses, musty leather, tobacco, and a muted orange peel in the mouth. These four flavours play together nicely demonstrating not only a nice richness of flavour, but also a nice balance of flavour…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Plantation Barbados 2000 (Old Reserve Rum)

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Plantation Barbados 2000 (Old Reserve Rum)

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