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Posts Tagged ‘2018’

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Review: The Irishman Vintage Cask 2018 (Irish Whisky)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 20, 2019

Recently (February 7, 2019), Ontario’s LCBO Whisky Shop launched a 7 brand Walsh Whiskey feature which included the 2018 bottling of The Irishman Cask Strength Whiskey. The 2018 version is dubbed The Irishman Vintage Cask 2018 (Irish Whisky).

According to the information sent to me The Irishman Vintage Cask (2018) is Ireland’s most exclusive Whiskey. It is distilled 3 times and aged in American Oak. Each year Bernard Walsh selects a handful of exceptional casks to make his Super Premium Cask Strength Irish Whiskey. It is available in strictly limited quantities with just 3,510 bottles produced in 2018. Each bottle is uniquely numbered and signed. This year’s expression was bottled at 54 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: The Irishman Vintage Cask 2018 (Irish Whisky)

“… Oak and toffee melded with vanilla and almond representing a yummy marzipan. Robust barley grain accented with hints of maple and leather, canned apricots and marmalade. Hints of cinnamon and ginger spice. The whisky seems well-balanced with the barley growing in stature as the dram breathes …”

Please enjoy my review of this exclusive Irish Whiskey.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Irish Whskey, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: The Irishman Vintage Cask 2018 (Irish Whisky)

And the Best 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2019 Were:

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 28, 2019

Much like my Rum Howler Top 50 Rums of 2018 countdown was delayed due to the tribulations surrounding my move to a new residence at the end of last year, my Rum Howler Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown was also put on hold until the New Year. Because of the aforementioned trials with my move, I have shortened this years list to the best 50 Canadian Whiskies down from my huge list last year that included a whopping 100.

This year my list contains a few whiskies which, although I have tasted them and written out brief tasting notes and scores, I have not yet published reviews for. Reviews for these spirits will be published in the coming year (as well as many others). That is (I hope) something for all of you to look forward to.

Here is a link to my Countdown list of the best Canadian Whiskies of 2018:

The Rum Howler Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2018

Please everyone, enjoy the list Responsibly!

Chimo!

Posted in Awards, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on And the Best 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2019 Were:

And the Best Rums of 2018 were …

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 16, 2019

I hope everyone can forgive my tardiness and that this year I had to pair back my list of the best rums of 2018 from 100 to 50. It wasn’t that I did not encounter enough great spirits to fill the list, rather it was that I did not have enough time at the end of the year to complete the list (see here). In fact my time was compressed to such a degree that my list is publishing about a month after the fact. As I said, I hope you can all forgive me for my tardiness.

About the list, I have  tasted each of these rums within the past three years and all of them have been given a full review on my website. You may read these reviews by clicking on each spirit in the list which opens the review page for that cane spirit.

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Here is a link to my Countdown list of the best rums of 2018:

The Rum Howler Top 50 Rums of 2018

Please everyone, enjoy the list Responsibly!

Chimo!

Posted in Awards, Extras | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

Review: Forty Creek Unity

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 23, 2018

Forty Creek Whisky has an annual tradition of producing a special limited release whisky which is built upon the foundation of the company’s flagship whisky, Forty Creek Barrel Select. These annual special releases each seek to bring new character to the Forty Creek family. This year, the distillery had a contest of sorts where five fans of Forty Creek Whisky representing different areas of Canada were asked to help create the 2018 Forty Creek Special Release. Because the group could not agree on which of the three special blends was the best, a fourth blend was created by Mr. Ashburn which ultimately became the chosen favourite of the entire group.

The special blend was called, “Unity“. One of the features of this Unity blend special is that it includes a subset of 4-year-old Forty Creek whiskies within its construct. These young whiskies were blended together and then aged for a further time using high mocha wood staves added to the barrels. Completing the blend is a 10-year-old corn whisky as well as a small amount of 15-year-old Portuguese-style Starboard wine aged in used Forty Creek barrels.

Here is a link to my full review for the 2018 Limited Edition Release, Forty Creek Unity.

Review: Forty Creek Unity 

“… The whisky brings firm indications of oak and vanilla which are melded into a menagerie both rye and baking spices (cloves and cinnamon), hints of almond, and light indications of dark fruit and red licorice.  I really like how the scents and smells seem to act in harmony without any wayward notes clashing with the unity of the overall aroma …”

Please enjoy my review and my serving suggestion, the Old Fashioned Cocktail with Chocolate Bitters.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Forty Creek Unity

The 2018 Rum Howler Awards for Micro Distillers

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 24, 2018

A great change has occurred in the landscape of spirits worldwide which is sure to change the industry forever. This change, which began several years ago is all about the economics of distilling. It wasn’t that long ago, that spirits writers could write confidently about the significant start-up cost of a distillery which served to act as an effective barrier to entry into the industry. The cost of a new distillery, was not millions; it was tens of millions if not hundreds. Not so anymore.

The start-up cost of a new distillery has been reduced by at least an order of magnitude, if not two. The same type of innovation which was the hallmark of the Micro-Brewers is now being realized by Micro-distillers. Single Malt Whiskies, Blackstrap Rums, Small Batch Vodka and Gins, and all manner of flavoured spirits have began to pour into the market place taking up retail space that once belonged to the big guys.

The Micro-Distillers are here, and more are coming. Whisky, Rum, Vodka and Gin will never be the same again.

In recognition of the importance of the new arrivals, these are My Rum Howler Awards for the Best Micro-Distilled Spirits in North America:

The 2018 Rum Howler Awards – The Micro Distillers

Chimo!

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