Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 14, 2009
Highwood Distillers are from my home province in Alberta Canada. Obviously with no locally grown sugar cane in my province, this rum must be imported. A quick check of the bottle only indicates that the rum originates from a blend of fine rums from the Caribbean. A description which does not really tell me much as to my knowledge all imported rum in Canada originate in the Caribbean.
When I talked to a Highwood representative, at the recent Rocky Mountain Food and Wine Festival in Edmonton, I mentioned that the their White Rum tasted like it was from Guyana to me. He confirmed that the blend was indeed predominantly a demerara blend. I forgot to ask him whether this was always the case with Highwood rums, a question I must remember the next time we speak.
Now this is a local brand, only available in western Canada, but I decided that reviewing a local product would not be a bad idea. So without further introduction, let me present Highwood Imported White Rum:
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: Canadian rum, Cocktails and Recipes, Highwood Rum, Rum, Rum Review, White Rum | Comments Off on Rum Review: Highwood Imported White Rum
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 8, 2009
Forty Creek Whiskies are the brainchildren of Master Distiller John Hall. John Hall bought the Kittling Ridge Estates Winery in 19992. Although primarily a winemaker, when John discovered a small pot copper still on the estate he couldn’t resist the urge to experiment with another product he loved… whisky. The wine making heritage combined with the love of whisky has produced what I consider to be a unique Canadian Whisky. Each batch of whisky is produced upon this small pot copper still, but what makes Forty Creek Whiskies special is that John doesn’t use a single mash for his whisky like other producers. He makes three separate batches. A corn mash produces a corn whisky, a barley mash produces a barley whiskey, and a rye mash produces a rye whisky. Each whisky is aged separately in a variety of oak barrels, and then blended and finished in sherry casks. The sherry is actually made right at the winery so Forty Creek can utilize their own sherry casks for the final finishing.
For More information on Forty Creek Whiskies and other products from Kittling Ridge estates please use this Link:
Kittling Ridge Estates
Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Forty Creek Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Forty Creek Barrel Select
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 7, 2009
A good Irishmen will tell you that Ireland is the birthplace of Whiskey. (He probably will not tell you that this original Irish Whiskey was made from oats not barley and it tasted disgusting.) Whether Ireland really was the birthplace of whiskey is a matter of debate, (for a good Scotsman overhearing the conversation might just roll up his sleeves and start swinging at the mere suggestion that his ancestors did not invent the stuff). But actually the evidence tips slightly to the Irish who are not above tipping and tottering after a dram or two. In fact it is said that the Irish first spelled whiskey with an “e” and the Scots decided to drop the “e” just to point out that their whisky was different, which originally it probably wasn’t, but soon was. And if you follow all of that you probably need a dram of the stuff right about now. So let me introduce an outstanding Irish Whiskey:
Bushmills 16yr Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Irish Whiskey has its own unique flavour heritage, spicy anise and a smooth grainy profile. Personally I find Irish whiskey to be a smooth and easy to drink. Bushmills 16yr Single Malt does not disappoint in this regard. The Irish heritage stands proudly here, but this is a single malt, not a grain whiskey. This means we get a little more sweetness on the palate. The anise flavour is more licorice like. However the whiskey has other complex flavours not commonly found in other Irish whiskeys. A firm but mellow vanilla bourbon (from the American whiskey oak), a subtle but slightly heavy sherry influence (from the Oloroso cask), and fruity cherry like flavours from the port pipes. ….
You may read the full review here:
Posted in Irish Whskey, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Bushmills Whiskey, Irish Whiskey, Whiskey, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whiskey Review – Bushmills 16yr Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 5, 2009
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select is a Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, distilled and bottled at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles Kentucky. I have found no age statement on the bottle or on the Woodford Reserve Website. My belief is that the spirit is 6 to 8 years of age although where I gleaned this bit of information has been forgotten. Perhaps the shopkeeper who sold me the bottle mentioned it.
Here is an excerpt from the review:
“Bourbon has its own unique flavour, spicy honey and a rich woody profile. This bourbon has a heavy texture in the mouth. It seems like having a thick corn syrup resting on the tongue even though the liquid is much more viscous….”
You can read the full review here:
Posted in American Whiskey, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Whisk(e)y Review, Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Whiskey | Comments Off on Whiskey Review: Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 4, 2009
Now I will take you to Bangalore India where great spirits are being made. The Amrut Distillery is making some of the best whisky and rum in the world. With water from the Himalayan Mountains, and locally grown grains, their whisky is proudly Indian in character and heritage:
Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky
I’ll start by saying that I am glad Amrut had the sense to make an Indian single malt whisky. There are flavours here I have never encountered in other whiskies. Whether this is from the locally selected Indian grain used, or due to aging in the Bangalore tropical climate I am not sure. The only comparison I can make is to the floral nature of Highland Park whisky and its unique heather infused peaty taste. This has no peat and no heather, but there is a tremendous floral note in the whisky which is unique to this brand. An anise/citrus/lilac/oriental spice taste that is divine. We get a small vanilla and toffee compliment which really kicks the complexity into high gear….
Read the full review here:
Posted in Indian Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Amrut Whisky, Indian Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review – Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky (India)
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