The Rum Howler Blog

Farewell to Appleton 151 Dark Jamaican Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 3, 2023

On March 6, 2010 I posted my original review for Appleton 151 Dark Jamaican Rum which I was told at the time was one of the more favoured rums on the Isle of Jamaica. A lot of time has passed, and now 13 years later I have reached the bottom of that bottle which was originally opened 13 years ago.

Unfortunately, the overproof dark rum appears to have been discontinued for several years now. The only bottles I see for sale are on auction sites rather than retailers. As this rum holds a bit of nostalgia for me (it was one of the first rums I reviewed many years ago) I thought I would give it a brief update on the website with a better bottle image and more detailed tasting notes using the last swallows from my now empty bottle.

Here is a link to the review of this blast from the past:

Review: Appleton 151 Dark Jamaican Rum

“… The aroma is strong with molasses, brown sugar spices and a heavy alcohol updraft. I was not expecting such a nice aroma. The alcohol masks the individual scents to some degree, but I can identify spices akin to cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, as well as spicy orange and banana peel. And a lot of alcohol astringency …”

Let’s hope this one comes back.

Chimo!

Posted in Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 151 Dark, Appleton, Jamaican Rum, Review, Rum | Comments Off on Farewell to Appleton 151 Dark Jamaican Rum

Review: Last Straw Distillery Rice and Rye

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 30, 2023

The Last Straw Distillery is Ontario’s smallest production micro-distillery located at 40 Pippin Rd. in Vaughan, Ontario (a wee bit north of Toronto) just off Highway 400 and around the corner from Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre.

Last Straw Distillery’s Rice and Rye Whisky is the result of a question posed by Mark Hayhoe, then of K2 Milling. He wondered out loud when speaking to Don DiMonte of Last Straw whether wild rice make good whisky?

So the folks at Last Straw Distillery ran a batch of Argentinian Wild Rice through the distillation process. Problem was, the batch didn’t produce enough distillate to fill a cask. So they decided to to top up that cask (a #3 char re-charred ex-Bourbon barrel) with rye distillate. Four years and Nine months later, they decided to send out some samples and get a few opinions as they prepared to bottle their new creation.

The whisky sent to me to analyze was constructed from 55% Argentinian long grain rice, sourced from farms in Cordoba, Argentina and 45% Ontario Rye grain sourced from small family farms in York and Simcoe Counties.

Here is a link to what I found out when I tasted this new Rice and Rye whisky:

Review: Last Straw Distillery Rice and Rye

“… When I nosed the glass, I found it was full of leathery grain and rye spice. Some dusty dry grain is evident as well. Bits of sweet honeycomb is forming in the breezes and there is a little fresh tobacco as well some light baking spices …”

Please enjoy this review and stay tuned for more Canadian Whisky reviews in the coming weeks (and a little bourbon too).

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Review | Tagged: Canadian Whisky, Last Straw Distillery, Review, Rice and Rye | Comments Off on Review: Last Straw Distillery Rice and Rye

Review: Trait-Carré Dry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 28, 2023

This continues my look at La Distillerie de Québec. Last week I reviewed their St-Roc Foundation Rum, and today I turn to the first of their two gin spirits, Trait-Carré Dry Gin. (I will get to their aged gin and Cap Diamont Vodka in the coming weeks.)

Trait-Carré Dry Gin is a classic dry gin produced in small batches which has been designed to be tribute to the Quebec City community nucleus called the Trait-Carré. This community was founded in the Seventeenth century by the Jesuits under the direction of King Louis-XIV’s.

The Distillerie de Québec notes 14 botanicals which are used in the gin’s construction namely, Juniper Berries, Coriander Seeds, Bitter Orange Peels, Grapefruit Peels, Sea-buckthorn Berries, Elderberries, Sweet Clover, Hibiscus Flower, Chamomile Flowers, Peppery Green Alder, Angelica Root, Iris Root and Cardamom. These have been selected to be a blend of ingredients representing both Quebec as well as exotic countries as a nod to the diversity maritime community and trade history present of Nouvelle-France.

Here is a link to my completed review:

Review: Trait-Carré Dry Gin

“… The nose is mild and inviting with a soft juniper leading out followed by citrus and citrus zest as well as a gentle licorice-like scent. A light floral character is developing in the breezes as are aromas of mossy forest undergrowth and balmy spices. I really like how all the various scents and smells sort of blend into each other …”

I hope you enjoy my review of this soft gin with its beguiling flavour profile.

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: Distillerie de Québec, Dry, Gin, Review, Trait-Carré | Comments Off on Review: Trait-Carré Dry Gin

Review: Langs Banana Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 26, 2023

Gavin & Alexander Lang were wine and spirit merchants based in Glasgow Scotland in the 1860’s. They originally produced Scotch whisky; however, they also began to experiment with rum producing recipes that expanded their portfolio after being influenced by the imported goods arriving at the Clydeside docks from the Caribbean.

Today, Langs Banana Rum is produced by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd who are Registered In Scotland. This is a flavoured rum with a Jamaican base spirit produced from both unaged and aged molasses based, pot and column distilled rums. The portion that is aged was matured in ex-bourbon American white oak casks. The blended Jamaican spirit is infused with banana flavour when it arrives in Scotland.

Here is a link to my completed review:

Review: Langs Banana Rum

“… Obvious ripe banana (real banana!) aroma with building butterscotch/toffee and hints of baking spice (vanilla and cinnamon). Maybe a touch of orange peel and hints of pineapple …”

I hope you all enjoy this review, I have a few more rums in the queue so stay tuned through the summer.

Chimo!

Posted in Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Spiced Rum | Tagged: Banana, Flavoured Rum, Langs, Review, Rum | 1 Comment »

Review: Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 23, 2023

Hendrick’s Gin has been adding new limited releases to compliment the brand’s growing family of unusual piny spirits. One of these new expressions, Hendrick’s Flora Adora recently arrived on my doorstep and as I promised a few weeks ago I plan to review as many of these new expressions as I can.

Flora Adora was created by Hendrick’s Gin Master Distiller Lesley Gracie. According to the promotional materials:

Within the walls of the Hendrich’s Gin Palace Garden, a most magical party is flourishing! Butterflies and bees dance in dizzy reverie, feasting on a banquet of fragrant flowers laid out especially by Ms Lesley Gracie. Now our Master Distiller wishes to invite you to join in these enchanting celebrations and introduce you to this delectable limited release Scottish Gin.

Here is a link to my latest Gin Review:

Review: Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin

Waves of lavender. lilac and chamomile as well as scents and smalls of just about every other garden flower you can think of seem to rise up out of the glass. This is more than just a little similar to a fragrant Potpourri.

Enjoy my review of what has been the most floral spirit I have ever encountered.

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: Flora Adora, Gin, Hendrick's, Review | Comments Off on Review: Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin

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