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Posts Tagged ‘Cocktails and Recipes’

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Review: English Harbour 5 Year Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 19, 2012

The English Harbour 5 Year Rum is a genuine Caribbean rum produced by Antigua Distillery Limited. The rum is named for the Antiguan naval port of English Harbour which was the site of naval confrontations between the English and the French who were the two major naval powers of the 18th Century.

When I contacted the Antigua Distillery regarding my review they indicated to me that the special character of their rum begins with the fermentation process. They use baker’s yeast during their fermentation and allow it to interact with the wild yeast present in the distillery. The use of open top fermenters aids and encourages the marriage of the different yeasts. After fermentation, the English Harbour rum is distilled upon an all copper continuous still. (The Antigua Distillery operates one of the few remaining all-copper continuous stills in the Caribbean.) The rum is aged in once used Kentucky bourbon barrels, and the Distillery’s wood policy states that they must use no. 1 select barry from the cooperage owned by the famous bourbon company. (I will leave you to speculate as to whom that might be.)

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The initial air above the glass presents a complex aroma of molasses, treacle (burnt caramel), toasted coconut and orange peel. The rum has a smoky quality as well which reminds me of dry fruit (raisins, dates, and prunes). A bit of damp cigar tobacco and some muted almond scents round out the nose …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: English Harbour 5 Year Rum

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail that follows.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: English Harbour 5 Year Rum

Review: Patrón Añejo Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 17, 2012

Patron Tequila is a pure 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila made from agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The agave is 6 to 7 years old when harvested, and the heart of the plant or the piña is all that is used. These piñas are cut and slowly steamed in traditional masonry ovens for 79 hours, and then shredded placed into a traditional stone pit. Here they are broken into finer pieces with large stone milling wheels called “Tahonas”. The resulting juice is then fermented for 72 hours in a wooden fermentation vat, and distilled twice in copper pot stills.

Patrón Añejo Tequila is a blend of aged tequilas which all have been matured in small white oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months. I received a sample bottle of the this Tequila from Diamond Estates Wine and Spirits, who are the local distributor Patron Spirits.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I brought the glass to my nose, light scents of caramel, sawdust, sandalwood and mildly punky agave were rising from the glass. The tequila is noticeably fuller and oakier than the previously reviewed Patrón Reposado which needed more coaxing to release the oaky scent of sandalwood. Scents of honey and vanilla find their way into the breezes, and the fully decanted glass reveals ‘earthy’ smells of broiled zucchini and oven baked squash…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Patrón Añejo Tequila

I have included another very good cocktail with the review which I call, the Scarlet Ruse. (It turns out Blood Oranges and Tequila work very well together.)

Please enjoy the cocktail and my review!

Posted in Anejo Tequila, Cocktails & Recipes, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Patrón Añejo Tequila

Review: Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 12, 2012

Spicebox Whisky is based in Montreal, Quebec where they blend and bottle their Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky. According to their website the spiced whisky is blended from Canadian whisky stocks which are aged from 3 years to 6 years. The spices and vanilla used to flavour the blend are extracted through a process they call cold fusion. Apparently three different vanilla beans are used (from various parts of the world) as well as the blender’s “secret spices”.

The product is bottled at 70 proof or 35 % alcohol by volume and has been brought into the Alberta Marketplace by Mondia Alliance Wine and Spirits of Montreal. here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The whisky displays a nice light copper colour in the glass and a quick tilt of the glass and a slow swirl reveals a light coating of liquid on the inside of the glass which coalesces into thin legs running down into the whisky. The initial aroma is of vanilla and rye spice. I also notice some lighter notes of cinnamon and cloves with perhaps a smattering of nutmeg and citrus zest …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky

As well I have provided a nice bar drink which I call the Spiced Canadian Cooler.

Please enjoy my review and the suggested recipe.

Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky

Review: Patron Reposado Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 8, 2012

Patron Tequila is a pure 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila made from agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. This Agave is 6 to 7 years old when harvested, and the heart of the plant or the piña is all that is used. These piñas are cut and slowly steamed in traditional masonry ovens for 79 hours. The steamed piñas are then shredded and placed into a traditional stone pit, where they are broken into finer pieces with large stone milling wheels called “Tahonas”. The resulting juice is fermented for 72 hours in a wooden fermentation vat, and distilled twice in copper pot stills.

Patrón Reposado Tequila is a blend of unique tequilas which have been aged in oak barrels for an average of six months. I received a sample bottle of the Patron Silver Tequila from Diamond Estates Wine and Spirits, who are the local distributor Patron Spirits.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I brought the glass to my nose, light scents of caramel and mildly punky agave were rising from the glass, and he initial aroma is very enticing. As the glass sits some light scents of sandalwood develop and some hints of honey and vanilla. The decanted glass has a nice ‘earthy’ aroma with fruity accents of broiled zucchini and oven baked squash softening the more pungent agave and muting the peppery spice we usually encounter in a highland tequila… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: Patrón Reposado Tequila

As well I have included a wonderful Tequila cocktail which combines Orange and Mango Soda with Patrón Reposado Tequila; I call my recipe, Bright Orange for the Shroud!

Please enjoy the review and my amazing cocktail!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Reposado Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Patron Reposado Tequila

Review: Avion Silver Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 1, 2012

According to the website, Avion Silver Tequila is a pure 100% Weber Blue Agave tequila made from the hand-picked agave grown in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. As a highland tequila,we can expect the Avion Tequila to exhibit strong fruity citrus notes and to have a little hot pepper in the delivery and in the finish. (This is as opposed to lowland tequila which has stronger earthier flavours of agave and less hot pepper.)

To produce Avion Tequila, the harvested agave from the highlands is first slow roasted in brick ovens to bring out its natural flavors and aromas. After distillation, but before the tequila is bottled it is run through a proprietary “Ultra Slow Filtration” process which apparently lasts ten times longer than the filtration process for other tequilas. Something good must be happening because according to the Judges at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this tequila is pretty darn good. They awarded Avion Silver Tequila as the Best Unaged White Spirit, and then gave it a Double Gold Medal for the second year in a row.

This product has been brought into my local market by Corby, and I was delighted when the local rep arranged for me to receive a bottle to review on my website.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I brought the glass to my nose, I was taken aback. The nose is wonderful. There is a light effervescent aroma of grapefruit zest which caught my attention immediately. The aroma is very reminiscent of the smells of springtime just after a light rain shower; it is fresh, clean and very enticing… “

You may read my full review here:

Review: Avion Silver Tequila

As well I have included another original cocktail, The Dreadful Lemon Sky!

Please enjoy my cocktail suggestion and of course, my review.

Cheers and Happy Canada Day!

Posted in Blanco Tequila, Cocktails & Recipes, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Avion Silver Tequila

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