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Posts Tagged ‘Liqueur’

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Review: RumChata (Horchata Con Ron)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 21, 2014

RumChata SAM_1345RumChata (Horchata Con Ron) is a new cream based liqueur created by Tom Maas (former marketing executive for Beam Distillers). Apparently about ten years or so ago, while Tom was still working for Beam, he was trying to help the company penetrate into the Latin American market looking for ways to make bourbon a more popular spirit. During this time, he was introduced to a non-alcoholic beverage called horchata which was popular in Central America. The beverage must have made an impression on him, because a few years later when he retired, Tom decided to create a his own alcoholic beverage based upon the creamy horchata he remembered (which was apparently made from coconut milk, crushed rice, nuts, cinnamon and other spices).

After some experimentation with a variety of ingredients and popular spirits, Tom created his own cinnamon forward recipe based upon Real Dairy Cream and Caribbean Rum.

This year at the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival, I ran into Lisa Cunningham who works for Glazer’s Of Canada Llc, the company responsible for bringing RumChata (Horchata Con Ron) into the Alberta market. I was offered a sample bottle of RumChata and asked to share my thoughts about this relatively new cream liqueur here on my website.

You may read my full review here (click on the link):

Review: RumChata (Horchata Con Ron)

” … Maybe I am imagining the smell of steamed rice, but the scents of cinnamon, rum-like brown sugar, vanilla and dairy cream are all very apparent in the breezes above my glass. As I examine the glass further, I seem to also sense some mild indications of crushed almonds as well as perhaps a hint of chocolate in the air above my glass as well … “

Please enjoy my latest review, of a rum cream which seems ideal for the upcoming Christmas season!

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Review: Disaronno Originale (Amaretto Liqueur)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 9, 2014

DSaronno750Canada_okDisaronno Originale is an Amaretto style liqueur apparently based upon a recipe which may date from as early as the year 1525. It is produced in Saronno, Italy by Illva Saronno S.P.A., and is distributed in Canada by Peter Mielzynski Agencies Ltd. (aka PMA).

Gladiator's Punch

Gladiator’s Punch

The Amaretto flavour of this liqueur is the result of an infusion of apricot kernel oil with neutral alcohol, caramelized sugar, and the essence of up to seventeen selected herbs and fruits. Amazingly, despite what seems to be an obvious almond flavour, Disaronno Originale apparently does not contain the essence of any nuts or almonds. The spirit is bottled and sold at 28 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review of this Amaretto liqueur:

Review: Disaronno Originale (Amaretto Liqueur)

” … The breezes above the glass reflect an almond-like scent, which gives me impressions very much like I am sniffing a mixture of crushed apple seeds and apricot brandy (this is probably the apricot kernel oil I am sensing). There is an obvious sticky sweet aroma in the air which carries indications of butterscotch, canned fruit (peaches and apricots), and hints of maple … “

I found the Disaronno Originale worked very well as a flavourful sweetener in both short and tall cocktails. One recipe which I constructed and shared at the conclusion of my review was a tall bar drink I call, Gladiator’s Punch.

Welcome to the beginnings of winter everyone. We can’t change the weather so we might as well enjoy it!

 

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Review: Luxardo Sambuca (Passione Nera)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 4, 2014

Passione NeraAbout two weeks ago I reviewed the clear Sambuca dei Cesari from Luxardo. Today I thought I would have a crack at their dark Sambuca, Passione Nera. This Italian Black Sambuca is a variation on the traditional Sambuca dei Cesari Luxardo using a recipe which entails multiple levels of successive infusions to blend the different ingredients. The spirit is bottled at 38 % alcohol by volume.

The Grave Digger

The Grave Digger

Luxardo S.P.A. was founded in 1821 in Zara, a port city on the Dalmatian coast of what is now the Republic of Croatia. At the conclusion of World War II and as a consequence of the borders within Europe having been redrawn, the company transferred its holdings to Torreglia in 1947, and has remained an Italian Company, 100% controlled by the founding family. Luxardo is one of the oldest European firms which produce liqueurs, and now almost 200 years after it was established, it remains in the control of the sixth generation of the original Luxardo family.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Luxardo Sambuca (Passione Nera)

“… The aroma from the glass has that same candied black jelly bean aroma  as the Sambuca dei Cesari, however there seems to be additional hints of fruitiness and a hint of undefined spice in the air as well. The Passione Nera does not seem nearly as sweet as the dei Cesari although that may be a subliminal effect of the added complexity …”

Included in the review is a nice bar drink I developed which mixes a touch of the Passione Nera with dark rum in a recipe I call, the Grave Digger.

Please enjoy the review, and the included recipe!  🙂

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Review: Sambuca dei Cesari (Luxardo)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 22, 2014

Luxardo SamLuxardo S.P.A. was founded in 1821 in Zara, a port city on the Dalmatian coast of what is now the Republic of Croatia. At the conclusion of World War II and as a consequence of the borders within Europe having been redrawn, the company transferred its holdings to Torreglia in 1947, and has remained an Italian Company, 100% controlled by the founding family. Today, Luxardo is one of the oldest European firms which produce liqueurs, and now almost 200 years after it was established, it remains in the control of the sixth generation of the original Luxardo family.

Clarity SAM_1180

Clarity

Sambuca dei Cesari is the licorice flavoured Sambuca produced by Luxardo. Like the well-known Greek licorice flavoured Ouzo, it is a sweet liqueur with a strong licorice flavour derived from the oils of the Star Anise. These oils are obtained from the seeds of this plant by a process of steam distillation. A concentrated solution of sugar and other natural aromas are added to this before bottling at 38 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Sambuca dei Cesari (Luxardo)

“… The flavour of the Sambuca dei Cesari matches the aroma perfectly as the liqueur tastes just like a black jelly bean which has already melted in my mouth. I taste candied sweet black licorice with a hint of mintiness ….”

At the conclusion of the review I have included a nice refreshing recipe called Clarity, which mixes Sambuca dei Cesari with Lemonade. It is perfect for a warm sunny Sunday.

Please enjoy the review and the stunningly delicious tall cocktail!

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Review: Amarula Fruit and Cream Liqueur

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 30, 2014

AmarulaAmarula is a relatively new cream liqueur from South Africa which has recently been made available in my market. This is a cream based alcohol liqueur produced from cream (of course), the fruit of the African Marula Tree (also known as the Elephant Tree), and sugar. It is bottled at 17% alcohol by volume, and occupies the same market niche as Bailey’s Irish Cream and Kahlua.

I have received several mini (50 ml) bottles of Amarula over the past two years (usually attached as a free mini sampler to the neck of a larger 750 ml spirit). I usually enjoy the free sampler in my morning coffee or drizzled over ice-cream, but with my most recent mini bottle, I decided to write a review.

Plush Martini

Plush Martini

The product is imported into Alberta by PMA (Peter Mielzynski Agencies Ltd.), and is available in a 375 ml, as well as 1000 ml and 1750 ml configurations.

You may read the full review by clicking on the following excerpt;

Review: Amarula Fruit and Cream Liqueur

“… I detect some mild chocolate and coffee aromas with hints of butterscotch, vanilla, and a light nuttiness akin to hazelnut. Within these familiar cream liqueur scents is a zesty citrus component which seems to bring a little life to the glass elevating the familiar into something exotic …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with a decadent rum and Amarula based cocktail which I call the Plush Martini.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

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