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Posts Tagged ‘Cocktails and Recipes’

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Review: Khortytsa Platinum Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 14, 2012

The Khortytsa Distillery is located in the City of Zaporizhzhia, in the south of Ukraine. The facility is relatively new, its first distilled products were rolled out in December of 2003. According to the company website, the distillery uses only high quality grain spirits produced by Ukraine’s best factories for vodka manufacturing. Although the facility and the brand are relatively new, they have made a significant impact in the global market where today, Khortytsa is found in 85 countries worldwide.

The Khortytsa Brand was recently introduced into Canada, and I was recently asked by the local importer, Ukrainian Drinks Ltd. to provide a few reviews of some of their selected products. The first of these products which I sampled is the Khortytsa Platinum Vodka whose formulation was apparently developed using a special silver and platinum filtration technology.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The first sip reinforced the nose with the spiciness of grain evident and a firm but mild citrus flavour. A lightly bitter aftertaste was present which reminded me of spruce bark and thyme. Despite this light bitterness, the vodka appears smooth and easy to sip. It is up to the individual sampling the Vodka whether that light bitter taste is appealing or not… “

You may read my full review here:

Review: Khortytsa Platinum Vodka

I have included a very nice cocktail which I call, the Minted Vodka Daiquiri.

Please enjoy the review and the great cocktail provided!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Khortytsa Platinum Vodka

Review: Redrum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 12, 2012

Three-D Spirits, Inc. (www.redrum.com) was founded in 1996 with the goal to create exceptional  handmade rums. The currently produce three spiced and flavoured rums, Redrum, VooDoo Spiced Rum, and Jolly Roger Coconut and Key Lime Rum. The subject of this review, Redrum, is a blend of 100% Virgin Island Rums. The rum is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume, and includes flavours of natural mango, pineapple, coconut, and cherry.

According to Dan DaDalt, Chief Rum Runner, for Three-D Spirits, Redrum is a completely unaged spirit. To quote from Dan:

” I chose this direction mainly because I felt it (an aged rum) would not work as well with the natural fruit flavors as a more neutral rum base.”

This product is being brought into my market by River Valley Beverages who arranged for me to receive a sample for review.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…  I can piece out the coconut, the cherry, some grilled pineapple and the mango all lifting into the breezes. This actually smells quite nice. Although vanilla is not listed as one of the flavours, I seem to also sense some real vanilla essence in the air… “

You ,may read my full review here:

Review: Redrum

Please enjoy the review and my suggested cocktail, the Redrum Breeze.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Redrum

Review: Adams Private Stock Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 9, 2012

I was a little curious about the heritage of Adam’s Private Stock Whisky so I dug into its past a little. When I did, I found a newspaper ad on page 98 of the Ottawa Citizen (dated December 1, 1960), which advertised Adam’s Private Stock Whisky. The ad says (in part),

” … Years ago Adams distilled 29 great whiskies, each with its own distinctive characteristics, and then aged them in special oak casks. Now Adams has married these 29 rare whiskies to create the superb flavour of Adams Private Stock. This custom blend is presented in its crystal decanter at a popular price…”

That ad is the earliest trace that I can find of the existence of Adams Private Stock Whisky. It was apparently produced by Thomas Adams Distilling Ltd. of Toronto Ontario. Things change of course, and according to the label on both of my bottles, the whisky is now imported into the USA and bottled by White Rock Distilleries. Of course, I have no idea whether Adam’s Private Stock is still blended from 29 rare whiskies. I just know that this whisky is getting harder and harder to find. And that’s a pity, because I have fond memories of the Private Stock Whisky which stretch back over 30 years when I received one of my first ever bottles of whisky. I was never a regular consumer of the Adams, because even back then, it was hard to find.

Sadly this whisky is going to be even harder to find in my locale as I have noticed that it has been discontinued from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Control website. However, recently, I decided to go into my private collection and pull out one of my last remaining bottles of the Private Stock Whisky to put it through the paces of my review system. It was a bit of a nostalgic experience for me, hopefully it will be a useful review for some of you.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Adams Private Stock Canadian Whisky

As well you might want to check out my suggested cocktail for this whisky, the Double Diamond Fizz.

Cheers Everyone!!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Adams Private Stock Canadian Whisky

Review: Marushka Vodka

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 7, 2012

Marushka Vodka is a wheat distilled Vodka produced at the Highwood Distillery in High River, Alberta. This distillery is situated near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just 40 minutes south of downtown Calgary. This is Highwood’s original vodka. Over the years they have made numerous refinements in an attempt to continually improve on the exact flavor that works best for what they refer to as their Russian/Ukrainian style vodka.

Of the six vodkas produced by Highwood, Marushka is considered by the distillery to have the most flavour. It is the number one choice amongst the bars and restaurants which serve Highwood Vodka. I was given a sample bottle of Marushka Vodka by Highwood Distillers to put through the paces of my Review Methodolgy.

Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“… In the shot glass the Marushka Vodka displayed a stronger than usual aroma above the glass. I could detect a firm note of citrus zest, a grainy spiciness, and the vegetal aroma of a young spirit. The first sip confirmed these impressions especially the grainy spiciness… “

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Marushka Vodka

As well I have include a new cocktail of mine called Civility. Please enjoy the review and my new cocktail!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Marushka Vodka

Review: Wild Cinnamon Whisky Liqueur

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 5, 2012

Highwood Distillers is a Canadian spirits manufacturer in the town of High River, Alberta, which is situated 40 minutes south of Calgary, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Recently, I visited this distillery, and watched first hand as they turned the local prairie grains into whisky, vodka. and gin. They make their spirits one batch at a time in a family style atmosphere which could not help but make me a fan.

Recently I received a sample of their Wild Cinnamon Whisky Liqueur. The spirit represents a fusion of Canadian Whisky and aromatic cinnamon. No artificial flavours or additives (except caramel for colour) have been used in the production of this whisky liqueur which is bottled at 36 % alcohol by volume.

Here is an excerpt from my resulting review:

“… When I pour the liquid from the bottle into my glass and bring it to my nose, what I smell first and foremost is cinnamon. In fact the aroma is very reminiscent of those little red cinnamon heart candies which are all the rage on Valentines Day. Under this obvious cinnamon scent are some indications of whisky, but these whisky accents are only that, accents upon a strong cinnamon presence… “

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Wild Cinnamon Whisky Liqueur

Enjoy the review and my wonderful cocktail that follows, the Buzz Saw.

Cheers Everyone!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Whisky, Liqueur, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Wild Cinnamon Whisky Liqueur

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