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Posts Tagged ‘Cocktails and Recipes’

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Review: Old Sam Demerara Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 25, 2011

The original recipe for Old Sam Demerara Rum stretches back to 1797 when Edward Young & Co. (from London & Liverpool, England) imported their rum from the Caribbean (primarily from Guyana) and brought the first barrels marked ‘Old Sam’ to London, England. Today the rum no longer travels to England to be blended and bottled, rather it travels to Newfoundland where it is blended and bottled by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). The entire blend hails from Guyana, and I have been informed that the age of these rums in the blend is no younger than 2 years old. In fact some of the rum in the blend may be as old as 12 years, but as the rum is blended to a specific taste profile, the oldest rum in the blend may change from batch to batch. I was given a sample of the Old Sam Demerara Rum by Greg Kerr of the NLC for the purpose of my review.

Here is an Excerpt from that review:

“…The taste of molasses, candied caramel and orange peel leads out into the mouth but these flavours are soon accompanied by tobacco and musty leather. I also taste a dry fruity flavour which reminds me of raisins and prunes with perhaps a few figs and dates thrown in for good measure…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Old Sam Demerara Rum

I have included a nice recipe which I call the Maritime Mai Tai.

Please enjoy my review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Movies and Cocktails: Part 1

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 24, 2011

I found myself watching an old western on the television a few weeks ago on one of those rare days when the movie suited my mood perfectly. Of course, I wanted a drink, but not just a drink…. I wanted a drink that suited the mood I was in and the movie I was watching. I settled on a dusty Canadian Rye Whisky and settled down to watch my movie.

Afterwards I began to think about why I wanted a particular drink for that particular movie, and I realized that this actually happens to me quite often.  For me movies are a ‘mood’ experience. I have to be in a certain mood to watch certain movies. Certain moods call for certain styles of drinks. So I began to put together a list of my favourite movies and thought about what I would like to drink while watching. I analyzed each movie briefly before selecting the appropriate cocktail for each.  I came up with this list:

Some of my Favourite Movies (And What to Drink When Watching Them)

This is just Part 1, next month or thereabouts I will post Part 2 with five more movies.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Extras, Gin, Rum, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Movies and Cocktails: Part 1

Review: Canadian Club Reserve Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 21, 2011

Canadian Club Whisky is the oldest and probably the most influential brand of Canadian Whisky in the world. It can be found in over 150 countries and boasts sales in Canada that are unmatched by any other premium whisky brand. Its popularity spiked during the days of Prohibition when Canadian Club was the whisky of choice for smugglers and whiskey runners, and it has even been reported that Canadian Club was the whisky of choice for Al Capone who is said to have smuggled thousands of cases of Canadian Whisky into the USA .

The Canadian Club Reserve is a step up from the previously reviewed Canadian Club Premium. Still ‘Blended at Birth’, the whisky is a mixture of rye, rye malt, corn and barley spirits.  Although separately distilled, these spirits are blended before being placed in white oak barrels where the blend ages for a minimum of 10 years.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…In the air, a light toffee has developed which has that same almond taint I noticed in the younger Canadian Club whisky. Dank tones of corn and tobacco are present as well as a light smokiness which hints at baked apples. A dusty rye and light oak spices weave in and out of the aroma which is noticeably more complex than the Canadian Club Premium…”

Here is a link to my full Review:

Review: Canadian Club Reserve Whisky

I have included a nice cocktail with the review called the Woodcutter. I hope you enjoy the review and the cocktail.

Cheers!

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

Review: Don Julio Blanco Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 16, 2011

Photo courtesy forrest

Don Julio Blanco Tequila is a 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila made from agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. As a highland tequila,we can expect the Don Julio to exhibit strong fruity citrus notes and to have a little hot pepper in the finish. The company was established by Don Julio González, who apparently began to examine the prospect of making his own Tequila in 1942. He established his distillery called, La Primavera, and spent nearly forty years refining his Tequila into the spirit which now bears his name.

I first encountered Don Julio Blanco at the May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) Tequila Tasting at Aligra Wine and Spirits in Edmonton. I enjoyed the crisp taste and decided that this was a bottle I would not mind acquiring and reviewing on my website.

Here is an Excerpt from my review:

“…Soft peppery notes come forward out of the glass, followed by lemon and lime citrus juices. Muted fruity agave and a hint of  vanilla waft into the air as well providing just a little more softness and I must admit the aroma has made me eager to begin to taste the spirit…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Don Julio Blanco Tequila

As well please enjoy the Traditional Margarita cocktail recipe I provided at the end of the review.

Cheers!

Posted in Blanco Tequila, Cocktails & Recipes, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Don Julio Blanco Tequila

Review: Gibson’s Finest Sterling Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 14, 2011

Gibson’s Finest Whisky has an unusual heritage which stretches back to 1856 when John Gibson purchased 40 acres and set out to build a distillery along the shores of the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania. In fact in the early 1900’s, the Gibson’s Distilling Company was the largest distiller of rye whisky in North America. Of course, we all know what happened to American distilleries at that time in history; it was called prohibition, and unfortunately in 1923,  Gibson’s Distilling Company was bankrupt and was forced to sell all of its assets ( Sheriff’s auction) to the highest bidder. The highest bidder turned out to be Schenley Industries of New York. It took 50 years, but Gibson’s whisky, formerly an American whisky, was re-introduced as a Canadian Whisky in the 1970’s at the Schenley Distillery in Valleyfield, Quebec. Thirty years later, in 2002, the Gibson’s Whisky was sold to William Grant & Sons who acquired the brand to strengthen their position in the Canadian spirits marketplace. William Grant & Sons has moved the production of Gibson’s Whisky from the Schenley plant in Valleyview Quebec to the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The initial nose from the glass is of light rye spices and sandalwood. There are hints of butterscotch in the air which gives the whisky a light sweetness and a few dashes of ginger and cardamom. The nose invites me to sip, and I quite contentedly oblige…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Gibson’s Finest Sterling Canadian Whisky

I have included a nice recipe for the Gibson’s Sterling which I call, The Long Autumn.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail that follows.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Gibson’s Finest Sterling Canadian Whisky

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