Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 14, 2011
Photo Courtesy Of Beam Global - Alberta
The Russian Standard Vodka Company was introduced in 1998 by Russian businessman and entrepreneur, Roustam Tariko (the owner of Russian Standard Bank). This is a traditional Russian Vodka made from hardy winter wheat cultivated on the Russian steppes. What is not traditional is that the spirit is quadruple distilled at the company’s distillation and rectification facilities in Saint Petersburg and then blended with the glacial waters from Lake Ladoga (whose waters were chosen for their renowned softness and purity). The Russian Standard Vodka is raised to a final level of purification using a quadruple charcoal filtering process, and then it is finished in steel ‘resting’ tanks before bottling.
I was given a bottle of Russian Standard Original Vodka to review on my blog by the Beam Global Team here in my home Province of Alberta. Beam Global is responsible for the sales and distribution of this spirit in my home province and across Canada.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“….An ever so light rye-like warmth teased my palate and my throat in a delightful manner. I noticed no burn at all; however, a slow building warmth seemed to grow in my throat afterwards. My friends all had similar experiences to mine, and we all liked that slow building warmth which followed the shot of vodka…”
You may read the full review here:
As well I have included a cocktail called the Sweet Moscow Mule.
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Premium Vodka, Russian Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Review | Comments Off on Review: Russian Standard Vodka
Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 10, 2011
In 1862, Facundo Bacardi and his brother José bought the Santiago de Cuba Distillery and began to distill what would become the most popular commercial rum in the world. Using a method of charcoal filtering, and oak barrel aging along with a still of copper and cast iron, Facundo Bacardi created a smoother more refined version of the locally made rum. His smoother version of the spirit became local favourite, and over time, an international sensation.
Bacardi Superior White Rum is a direct descendant of the original rum which Facundo Bacardi produced back in 1862. Although production methods have undoubtedly changed since then, the Bacardi White Rum is still produced using a method of oak barrel aging (for one to two years) and charcoal filtration.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…I began by sipping the Bacardi Superior White Rum neat in my glass without ice. The initial impression was of a dryish rum which was perhaps a little rougher on the palate than I was hoping for. I taste a firm presence of almond and a softer presence of caramel and vanilla…”
You may read the full review here:
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: Bacardi Rum, Cocktails and Recipes, Rum, RumReview, White Rum | Comments Off on Review: Bacardi Superior White Rum
Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 7, 2011
The Nemiroff Ukrainian Wheat Vodka was developed in keeping with Slavic traditions of classical vodka. It is produced from the pure wheat grain spirits and specially prepared pure artesian water. As I read the information on the Nemiroff Website concerning the Ukrainian Wheat Vodka, I discovered that this particular Nemiroff Vodka is promoted as a high-quality classic vodka which hopes to give the consumer an opportunity to explore its mild wheat bread taste. This is because the flavour of the Vodka is strengthened by aromatic extracts of freshly baked ‘palyanytsia’ wheat bread.
It is with this in mind that I began my exploration of the Ukrainian Wheat Vodka. Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…The spirit is very creamy at this temperature, and it coats the palate with a slightly buttery mouth feel. There is very little flavour although I did detect an indistinct impression of fresh sweet-bread dough. As I swallowed the first sip of the wheat Vodka, I did not feel any appreciable burn but there was a slight aftertaste of bread dough and starch…”
You may read the full review here:
I also added two traditional Vodka cocktails to my cocktails section today, The Screwdriver, and the Harvey Wallbanger.
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Nemiroff, Ukranian Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Review | Comments Off on Review: Nemiroff Ukrainian Wheat Vodka
Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 2, 2011
The Highland Park 40 year Old is a relative newcomer to the Highland Park portfolio having been released in 2008 as the premier production whisky in the Brand line-up. This is not a one-off bottling which will disappear when the stocks run dry, but instead an extremely limited yearly bottling. Like the Highland Park 30 Year Old Whisky, this 40-year-old is matured in refill sherry oak casks. The aim is to ensure that the long-term aging does not cause the oak to dominate the whisky in a deleterious manner.
It is a rare treat to be allowed to sample a 40-year-old whisky. The effects of the long-term aging in oak should reverberate through the whisky, and at 48.3 percent alcohol by volume this spirit will be a challenge to approach. Thus, it is with a little trepidation that I begin.
Here is a link to my review:
Please enjoy the review!
Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Highland Park Whisky, Scotch Whisky, Whisky | Comments Off on Review: Highland Park 40 Year Old Whisky
Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 31, 2011
The Nemiroff’ Vodka Company introduced the Nemiroff Original Vodka in 1999, and it is now available in over 25 countries world-wide. The Vodka is wheat based and (according to the Nemiroff website) includes the addition of the caraway seeds, and honey in its production. I was given a sample bottle by Igor Kashkan, the local Importer of Nemiroff. I was told by Igor that although this vodka is not labeled as a Premium Vodka, the company believes that their Nemiroff Original is an outstanding product nonetheless.
In evaluating the spirit I held an informal gathering at my residence, where four friends and I put the spirit through the paces of my review methodolgy. We tried as best we could to observe the rituals and traditions of an old-fashioned Vodka tasting. Here is an excerpt from our observations:
“…The first full swallow (shot) was very pleasing. The Vodka slid down my throat feeling lightly creamy and very smooth. I did not notice any initial burn in my throat; but a few seconds after the Vodka was swallowed, the back of my mouth was warmed, and a light burn began to develop in my throat. Only ghostly indistinguishable flavours were apparent…”
You may read the full review here:
As well, the review includes a recipe for a favourite Vodka Cocktail of mine, The Pink Pussy Cat.
Please enjoy the review!
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Nemiroff, Ukranian Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Review | Comments Off on Review: Nemiroff Original Vodka
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