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Posts Tagged ‘Cocktails and Recipes’

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Review: Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 30, 2012

I have been on a bit of a gin kick lately, and recently re-acquainted myself with Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin. The reunion went quite well, and I thought I would update my review here on the website. The result was some minor changes to the tasting notes and a very minor change in the score.

Bombay Sapphire Gin is distributed by Bacardi. It was launched in 1987, and draws its unusual name from a competition where several marketing agencies were asked to submit possible names and bottle designs for the new Gin. Bombay Sapphire, the chosen name, refers to the British Empire and India heritage for the spirit in India, as gin was an extremely popular spirit during the time of the British Raj. The Star of Bombay (featured on the label) is a famous Indian Sapphire now on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

Bombay Sapphire Gin is a London Dry Gin. This style of gin is produced through a double distillation of a neutral grain spirit with botanicals added during the second distillation. The botanicals in Bombay Sapphire Gin which are listed on the company website are as follows:

Spanish almonds and lemon peel, West African grains of paradise, Chinese licorice, juniper berries from Tuscany, orris root from Italy, angelica root from Saxony, coriander seed from Morocco, cassia bark from Indo China, and cubeb berries from Java.

It will be most interesting to see what this bevy of ingredients from around the world has imparted into the spirit.

“… The aroma from the glass is a clean aroma with a piny (juniper) citrus note. A well-defined floral character sits with the juniper, but it will take a better nose than I have to distinguish the effects of each of the ten botanicals used to produce the gin. What i smell is a hint of lilac and mint. I also seem to catch an aroma reminiscent of sweet grass, and a vague humus like scent in the glass which is not unappealing.… “

You may read my full review here

Review: Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin

This is such a nice gin that instead of one recipe, I found myself recommending two, the traditional Dry Gin Martini, and my recipe, Mean Streets.

Please enjoy the review, and do try a few cocktails, Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin

Review: Ragged Rock Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 26, 2012

Ragged Rock Rum is produced by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). It is apparently made  from the same 4 marques of Jamaican Rum which are used to produce their Famous Newfoundland Screech. I was  told that the treatment of these marques is slightly different, which could mean that they are blended in different proportions, or perhaps they are not aged for the same length of time in once used white oak bourbon barrel. (However by Canadian Law all rum, dark, white, spiced or otherwise, must be aged at least full year in oak barrels.) I was  told by a representative of the brand that I should consider the Ragged Rock to be an amber or lighter version of Screech Rum, and perhaps that is the most reasonable description to begin with.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… I poured a little rum into my glencairn glass, and began as I often do with a good look at the spirit. We have a pale amber spirit which leaves light sheen on the inside of the glass when I tilt and swirl it. A few legs form, but most of the oily sheen disappears back into the glass without fanfare. The initial aroma is one of butterscotch with light impressions of banana and orange peel. The rum smells simple and light in the glass light and not overly complex …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Ragged Rock Rum

I found the rum to be a great mixer and I have included a nice recipe for your enjoyment, the Ragged Dagger.

Please enjoy the review and my cocktail selection!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Ragged Rock Rum

Review: Patrón XO Cafe

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 24, 2012

Patrón XO Cafe is a blend of the premium Patrón Silver Tequila and the natural essence of fine coffee. According to the Patron website, the taste of this agave coffee spirit is dry, rather than sweet, with notes of chocolate and vanilla. It is suggested that the spirit is meant not only for sipping, but also as a premium cocktail ingredient, or as a delectable dessert topping.

I received a sample of the Patrón XO Cafe from Diamond Estates Wine and Spirits, who are the local distributor Patron Spirits.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The initial flavour is rich with coffee and vanilla, underlain with agave. The flavour is sweet rather than dry, and there is a nice peppery bite which is working well with the overall flavour. As I sip I begin to sense that the sweetness is similar to cane syrup and the mouth-feel has that syrupy texture as well…”

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Patrón XO Cafe

As well, I have included a nice recipe from the Patron website with the review which they call, Dark Spell.

Please enjoy the recipe and the review!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Liqueur, Liqueur Review, Tequila Liqueur | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Patrón XO Cafe

Panama Red Arrives in Alberta

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 22, 2012

Panama Red 108 is a Panamanian rum brought to you by PANAMONTE BRANDS. The rum is handcrafted by the creator of Zafra Master Reserve, Master Blender, Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez. It is produced from the sugar cane that grew in Las Cabras de Pese, the same region where the Distillery is located. Although the rum is stated as overproof, Don Pancho has assured me that the rum will feel much smoother in the mouth than a typical overproof rum. It has as its base, a 3 year molasses based rum which is aged in used Bourbon casks at the distillery warehouse in Pese.

There is a bit of a romantic story behind the name of this Rum and it was related to me via email by the Mr. Carlos E. Esquivel G., the Executive Director of PILSA (A Rum distillery and production company, specializing in Aged Rums, and Rum related products in Panama and South America). With his permission, I have reproduced the story to serve as the backdrop for my review here:

The Story of Panama Red… (click on the link to read the story).

Read my Original Review Here:

Review: Panama Red 108 Overproof Rum

Of course, the review includes a great cocktail, Savalle Row.

Please enjoy the story, the review, and the cocktail.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Panama Red Arrives in Alberta

Review: Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Barbados Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 19, 2012

The Plantation 20th Anniversary Rum is a blending of the company’s oldest Bajan Rum reserves. These selected rums were first aged in the Caribbean (in ex-bourbon casks). Then they are transported to France to be blended by Plantation Rum’s Cellar Master at Château de Bonbonnet. The blended rum is matured a second time in small French oak casks for another 12 to 18 months. This “double aging” gives rise to a startling increase in both the body of the rum and its complexity, and is the signature of Cognac Ferrand’s Plantation Rum portfolio.

I was sent a sample bottle of the Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Barbados Rum by Cognac Ferrand for the purpose of a review here on my website. Here is an excerpt from that review:

“… The rum has the rich colour of copper pennies in the glass. The initial nose surprised me a little with its strong oaky presence and luscious smells of caramel and toasted coconut. Some nice orange marmalade chimes in as well as hints of marzipan and tobacco. As the glass sits, rich baking spices full of dark brown sugar, vanilla, and dabbles of cinnamon and nutmeg rise into the breezes. Then the oak wells up again and pours out of the glass. I love the aroma, and I could sit for hours just nosing the glass without taking a sip…. “

You may read my full review here:

Review: Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Barbados Rum

Although this is a great rum suitable for sipping I could not resist recommending a divine cocktail suitable for such a sipping rum, the El Padrino.

Please Enjoy my review and do try the cocktail suggestion at the end, cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Barbados Rum

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