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Posts Tagged ‘Cocktails and Recipes’

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Review: Nemiroff Lex (Super Premium Vodka)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 30, 2011

Lex is the Super Premium Vodka from Nemiroff which was introduced in Ukrainian markets in 2003. It is a very interesting premium vodka spirit produced from grain alcohol which has been aged in wood for six months. According to information supplied to me by Igor Kashkan (the local importer of Nemiroff Vodka), the spirit undergoes eleven stages of purification, and then the resulting spirit is enhanced with aromatic spirits from natural oats and the Linden Blossom. According to the Nemiroff website, the recommended manner in which to enjoy the Lex Vodka is to sip it slowly, savouring its unique qualities neat. Complicated cocktails and/or drinking the Lex as a ‘shot’ style vodka is not recommended.

However, I am a bit of a contrarian, and so I prefer to analyze this spirit in the same manner as I have analyzed the other Vodkas I have reviewed, and I will partake in shots and cocktails to arrive at my own conclusions and share them with you.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The initial aroma of the vodka presented tantalizing glimpses of a spicy grain in combination with a warm sweetness and a mild lemon citrus. I am thinking that this sweet lemon citrus must be the Linden Blossom which the Nemiroff website says is evident in the aroma of the vodka…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Nemiroff Lex (Super Premium Vodka)

As well I have included a recipe suggestion (which really isn’t a recipe at all) called The Russian Soldier.  Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Nemiroff Lex (Super Premium Vodka)

Review: Alchemia Imbirowa (Ginger Flavoured Vodka)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 28, 2011

Alchemia Vodka is distilled in Poland by a company called, Bialystok S.A., which is apparently one of Poland’s largest producer’s of distilled spirits. Alchemia Imbirowa (pronounced eem-beer-ova ) is a premium grain distilled vodka from Poland infused with natural ginger root. The infusion process saturates the already distilled vodka with the flavouring ingredient allowing both colour and flavour to be imparted to the final spirit.

I was given a sample bottle of Alchemia Imbirowa for the purposes of this review by Paul Charabin of PB Beverages, an Alberta based company which imports and distributes a wide selection of spirits from around the world. The bottle I was given was the 750 ml size, and the label tells me the ginger infused vodka is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…There is far more sweetness than what was evident on the nose and the mouth-feel is somewhat syrupy. The ginger is also very apparent quickly heating the mouth with a peppery sharpness. I have been experimenting lately with flavoured syrups for cocktails and this reminds me of what I imagine a ginger syrup would taste like. ..“

You May read the full review here:

Review: Alchemia Imbirowa (Ginger Flavoured Vodka)

As well I have included a new twist on the classic Cosmopolitan which I have chosen to call the Ginger Cosmopolitan.

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Alchemia Imbirowa (Ginger Flavoured Vodka)

Review: 1921 Añejo Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 22, 2011

1921 Tequila is made from 100% Agave cultivated in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The distinction between tequila made from highland agave versus tequila made from lowland agave is important because agave grown in the highlands tends to carry a different flavour profile into the final tequila than lowland tequila. Highland tequila tends to have more sweet fruity citrus flavours and perhaps a touch more hot pepper in the finish.

The website for 1921 Tequila states that their Añejo Tequila has spent  a year in white oak. The tequila is described on the website as:

“…It is definitely a Tequila made to be tasted calmly and enjoyed slowly in a cognac wine glass, allowing the description of the authentic taste of the white oak barrel aged for 12 months, where the wood has blended its most sophisticated characteristics with the agave from Jalisco´s soil…”

I decided to follow the advise of the website and began my tasting session with a cognac glass and the 1921 Añejo Tequila served neat without ice. Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…As I brought the brandy glass up to my nose, the fruity agave began to assert itself into the air around the glass. Nice soft pepper and ginger notes come forward out of the glass as well, followed by lime citrus and soft butterscotch. A hint of  vanilla wafts into the air with some scattered tea leaves.  The aroma is very nice…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: 1921 Añejo Tequila

I have followed the review with a cocktail recommendation called, Maximiliano Tequila.

Please enjoy my review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: 1921 Añejo Tequila

Review: Angostura Royal Oak Select Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 21, 2011

Today I am re-posting another of my very early reviews. As with most of my early reviews, the commentary in the review is rather fragmentary; but (and this is the saving grace for the review) it is also honest. I wasn’t especially good at descriptors in my earliest reviews, but I was good at getting across what I liked. And as you read the review you will see that this is a rum I liked.  The review is somewhat nostalgic and for good reason. you see I discovered this rum on my honeymoon more than 20 tears ago. ….

More than twenty years ago, my wife and I spent three weeks in Tobago at the Turtle Beach Resort. At the time, I was a whisky drinker, and not a fan of rum at all. However, as the saying goes, when in Rome…

So at the hotel and on the beach I drank rum, and I discovered that I liked it. What they were serving me was a locally produced rum, and although more than 20 years have passed I do believe it was a product which was very reminiscent of Angostura Royal Oak Select. I went back to Canada with two 40 ounce bottles; but alas, they are long gone. I went back to drinking whisky, as the rums available in my locale just did not measure up. It was not until the rum explosion in my locale that my palate for rum was rekindled. Flor de Cana, Ron Matusalem, and El Dorado rums have helped to bring me back in the fold.

Then recently, I found 3 bottles of Royal Oak Select covered in dust in a local liquor store. The proprietor said they were new stock, the dust said otherwise, but I bought all three to see if that rum still tasted as good as 20 years ago.

Here is an excerpt from the resulting review:

“…The Royal Oak rum  has a nice sweet caramel flavour. If indeed caramel has been added it does not bother me. Taste is what counts and this tastes nice. I can taste that hint of coconut I smelled in the glass and a mellow spiciness. Everything is light, relaxed and this is an easy-going rum…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Angostura Royal Oak Select Rum

Please enjoy this very early review of mine!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Angostura Royal Oak Select Rum

Review: Alchemia Czekoladowa (Chocolate Infused Vodka)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 16, 2011

Alchemia Vodka is distilled in Poland by a company called, Bialystok S.A., which is apparently one of Poland’s largest producer’s of distilled spirits. The Alchemia Czekoladowa (pronounced chek-o-la-dova ) is a premium grain distilled vodka from Poland infused with naturally derived cocoa. The infusion process saturates the already distilled vodka with the flavouring ingredients allowing both colour and flavour to be imparted to the final spirit.

I was given a sample bottle of Alchemia Czekoladowa for the purposes of this review by Paul Charabin of PB Beverages, an Alberta based company that imports and distribute a wide selection of spirits from around the world. The bottle I was given was the 750 ml size, and the label tells me the chocolate infused vodka is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…I had three friends over when I sampled the Alchemia Czekoladowa. I poured each of them (and myself) a healthy shot of the flavoured Vodka and watched each bring the glass up to their nose and take a deep wiff. A satisfied smile broke out on each of their faces…”

You may read the full review Here:

Review: Alchemia Czekoladowa (Chocolate Infused Vodka)

Of course I could not resist a few cocktail experiments with this richly flavoured spirit, and at the end of the review I share two of them, The Chocolate Cola Martini and The Iced Chocolate Cocktail.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktails which follow!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Vodka, Vodka, Vodka Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Alchemia Czekoladowa (Chocolate Infused Vodka)

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