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Posts Tagged ‘Cocktails and Recipes’

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Whisky Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 30, 2010

Over the next several months, I plan to complete a review series of  Wiser’s Canadian Whiskies    I will start with a relatively new member to the Wiser’s portfolio, the Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky, and then I will wander through their whisky family, reviewing the Wiser’s Special Blend, The Wiser’s Deluxe, and the Wiser’s 18 Year Old in no particular order.  I will also complete a full review of a brand new Wiser’s Canadian Whisky, Wiser’s Legacy.   ( I have previously provided a first impression of the Legacy (click the link to read this first impression), and now that the Wiser’s Legacy  bottles will hit the store shelves soon it seems a good time to do this review series.)

An astute person may ask about the Wiser’s Red Letter Whisky, the recently named Canadian Whisky of the Year in the Jim Murray 2010 Whisky Bible,  but an even more astute person will realize that I reviewed the Red Letter last year in November. A second review so quickly is hardly necessary.  If you are interested,   The review for the Wiser’s Red Letter whisky can be found here.

I  confess that I look forward with great anticipation to this review series.  I have always enjoyed the Wiser’s Whisky brands and the chance to give the entire whisky family a good once over with my review system is an opportunity that I cannot resist.

Here is an excerpt from my first review for the Wiser’s Small batch Canadian Whisky:

“The whisky is soft and supple on the tongue with a richness that I do not encounter in the Canadian Whisky Category very often.  Hot oak spices tickle the tongue in a smooth delivery which carries flavours of  butterscotch, maple, and ripe fruit.  Corn and light rye flavours provide the foundation upon which  the sweeter flavours are carried….

You may read the entire review here:

Whisky Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

As usual I have a few cocktail suggestions for this whisky. Enjoy the review.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 28, 2010

Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991
16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The 1991, Isle of Jura, 16 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky was distilled at the Isle of Jura distillery in 1991 and set down to age in bourbon casks. At some point in the history of this malt, several casks (perhaps seven or eight) were purchased by the private bottler Murray McDavid. These casks were chosen for their special character, and in 2007 they were blended and bottled in a Limited Release Bottling numbering only 1500 bottles.   Three of these bottles have found a way into my possession, and I am pleased to review the contents of one of them and share the results of this hard labour with you.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…Honey and caramel drift out of the glass with a gentle sweetness that is inviting.  As the glass sits, deeper scents of ripe fruit and spicy oak follow with a very small whisper of salty smoke trailing in the breeze.  A touch of water opens the ripe fruit to reveal apricots and peaches is a spicy sweet syrup….”

You may read the full review and the cocktail I have chosen for this splendid whisky here:


Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991
16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch

Rum Review: Bacardi Rum 8 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 25, 2010

For my introduction to this review I thought I would write a short history of the Bacardi Company.  I did a little research and realized very quickly that a “short’ introduction was impossible.  So I changed gears and wrote  instead a longer article called  “Ron Bacardi & Cuba – Turbulent Times” and published it “Extras” Section of my Blog  (And published previously on Rum Connection).  If you click on the article name you will be brought to the article.

One thought I would like to add, is that I went into this review fully expecting to dislike the Bacardi 8 Year Old.  It is, after all, quite fashionable to bash Bacardi and claim with a somewhat superior air that anything they make is for the masses, and therefore obviously inferior.  Let me say right up front that it is just that type of intellectual snobbery that made me pass up this wonderful rum for almost a year.  This rum doesn’t just break the stereotype I had in my head … it destroys it!!  Here is an except from my review:

“…. I could not help but notice that the delivery of the Bacardi 8 year old rum was very similar to the delivery of a really good whisky. I am not talking about flavours mind you, I am talking about style.  The rum carries a lovely light smoke, and a firm oak flavour which provides foundation and character.  This is not a sweet rum dripping with honey. It is a firm well oaked rum….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Bacardi Rum  8 Year Old Rum

Please enjoy the review and the cocktails added.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Rum Review: Bacardi Rum 8 Year Old

Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 23, 2010

I have come to my final review of the series of McClelland’s Single Malt Whiskies.  McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt whisky is the least typical of the four main expressions of this brand. In fact, it was difficult for me, in a blind taste test, to associate this whisky with any particular region, or should I say style, of Scottish whisky. In the end, I correctly named this a Lowland whisky in a blind taste test, more as a matter of default, than by ascertaining distinct lowland characteristics from the dram. The whisky is produced by Morrison Bowmore Distillers. It is distilled from a distillery in the Lowland region of Scotland, and selected to represent the character and essence of the Lowland whisky region.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…This whisky is somewhat of a yellow/golden colour in the glass.   When I swirl the glass I noticed only a light oil and very skinny legs on the sides of the glass.  The aroma from the glass was unexpectedly harsh. I would describe it as acrid and pungent.  I also received charred woody aromas and darkly caramelized sugars….”

You may read the full review Here:

Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch

As well I have an excellent cocktail suggestion from forrest, The Lowland Holiday Scotch Sour.  Enjoy the review

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch

Review: Hispaniola Mamajuana (Herbal Rum Liqueur)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 20, 2010

Photo Courtesy Rum Runner Imports

Hispaniola Mamajuana is a liqueur based upon a herb infused rum and wine drink called mamajuana which is indigenous to the Isle of Hispaniola (modern island of Dominican Republic and Haiti).  The original mamajuana was a medicinal drink whose roots reach back to the original inhabitants of Hispaniola, the Taino, (who Columbus mistakenly called Indians).  This original drink was more of a tea beverage made by boiling local roots and perhaps bark.  As the drink evolved, honey was added as a sweetener, and over time rum and wine were added and the drink became the mamajuana known on the Island today.

In doing my research on this unique product, I came across a few suggestions that the original drink has medicinal properties to help with everything from arthritis to toothaches.  But the most intriguing suggestion is that  it has the ability to increase potency in men, and desire in women.  It is playfully called ‘Viagra Dominica’ by its adherents.  This means my review should be most interesting as I, like you, am genuinely skeptical, but genuinely curious about Hispaniola Mamajuana.

Hispaniola Mamajuana is produced by  Mardi S.A. made from aged rum and honey as well as a secret recipe of over twenty different herbs and spices. It bottled at 30 % alcohol by volume.  My sample for this review was provided by Rum Runner Imports who are bringing the product to market in my home Province.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“….There seems to be a myriad of aromas trying to escape as soon as the glass is poured.  Anise,  woody herbs, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, honey, and faint airs of brown sugar all rise up in a stew of exotic aroma.  The nose is aggressive and almost seems medicinal with hints of menthol.  (I guess I should not be surprised as the original mamajuana is considered a medicine in folklore.)…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Hispaniola Mamajuana (Herbal Rum Liqueur)

As usual I have included a couple of original recipes for your enjoyment!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Hispaniola Mamajuana (Herbal Rum Liqueur)

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