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Posts Tagged ‘Review’

Review: Stillhead Wild Blackberry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 17, 2023

Stillhead Distillery began operations in October of 2017 in Duncan, British Columbia with a vision to distill the essence of Vancouver Island into their brands. They do this by adding distinct Vancouver Island ingredients to their products showcasing their home in every bottle. Their flagship spirit, Wild Blackberry Gin, uses handpicked, local berries (100% wild blackberries) from the Cowichan Valley as well as Canadian honey.

This is constructed as a flavoured gin, not a liqueur. Therefore the sweetness of the honey is kept in check. The flavoured spirit is constructed to be a versatile cocktail mixer, a bramble in a bottle, or perhaps to be simply enjoyed over ice.

Bottled at 37.5 % alcohol by volume, Stillhead’s Wild Blackberry Gin was named the Best Canadian Flavoured Gin for two years in a row (2020 1nd 2021) at the World Gin Awards, in London, Uk.

Review: Stillhead Wild Blackberry Gin

” … The nose is a little retrained, I notice mild indications of fruity blackberry alongside the light spiciness of what I believe is coriander. Hints of juniper peak out through the blackberry, and after that I am only guessing as the other scents and smells seem jumbled together or hidden completely by the fruit which has gained momentum as the glass sits. …”

Please enjoy the review! I have a few more of Stillhead’s Island spirits to review in the next week or two, so stay tuned.

Chimo!

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Review: Signal Hill Canadian Whisky 

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 15, 2023

Signal Hill is the name of a relatively new Canadian Whisky partially owned by Canadian actor Dan Aykroyd, the Blues Brother who also owns a stake in Crystal Head Vodka.

The Canadian Whisky blend is produced from two grains, corn and barley. The corn is double distilled on a column still producing a light, smooth spirit. The barley is pot distilled to create a more flavourful, heavier whisky. After blending, the whisky uses a non-chill filtration process preserving the heavier flavour molecules and oils from the distillation with the aim of a fuller mouthfeel and smoother finish.

Here is a link to my thoughts on this relatively new Canadian Whisky:

Review: Signal Hill Canadian Whisky 

“… The flavour is that of a typical Canadian Whisky with fine oak and grain spices at the front followed by a sort of sour, lightly fermented fruitiness. Orange peel, vanilla and almond add a little complexity and the overall effect is a whisky that is flavourful, but a little rough around the edges as well …”

I hope that everyone enjoys my latest spirits review, I have a few gin reviews which I shall be sharing next.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Review: Roble Viejo Maestro

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 11, 2023

The rum which goes by the name Roble Viejo Maestro was for myself quite an enigma. If you clicked on the link to the Ron Roble website and looked around, you will find no mention of this rum. And … when I first tasted it several years ago, I could find no reference to the rum anywhere online.  That was three years ago.  Since then, it has started appearing on several retail websites, and has even garnered a few reviews on websites like Masters of Malt and Ram Ratings.

I decided that it was finally time to add my thoughts to the online world. Here is a link to my review:

Review: Roble Viejo Maestro

“… Oak spices build just a little mixing with light baking spices (cinnamon and vanilla), a light almond like nuttiness is present as is a fine spicy updraft of alcohol and wood spice. …”

Chimo! (And its good to be back!)

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Review: Plantation Isle of Fiji Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 26, 2022

Cognac Ferrand has long had a special relationship with a variety of rum producers throughout the world. This relationship is based upon the rum producer’s need for quality oak casks to age their rum. Based upon this relationship, Cognac Ferrand is able to acquire certain old and unique batches of rum from various sources, which they bring back to France and finish in their own warehouses and of course in their own Cognac Casks. These special rums form the heart of the Plantation Rum line-up.

Plantation Isle of Fiji Rum was of course sourced from the Isle of Fiji. It was produced using traditional local methods and local sugar cane. This rum was first aged for two years in the tropical climate (within used bourbon barrels) and then transported to France to be matured for at least one more year in French Oak casks. The spirit was bottled at 40% alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my review of Plantation Isle of Fiji Rum:

Review: Plantation Isle of Fiji Rum

“… The rum begins with a nice butterscotch, vanilla and oak flavour which which is accented by fruity impressions of pineapple, green grape and zesty orange citrus peel. There is a bit of a spicy bite which is tempered by a light butterscotch sweetness as well as a mild impression of menthol. Hints of cinnamon, some scattered cloves, and a touch of musty tobacco rounds out the flavour profile …”

Please enjoy my latest review!

Chimo!

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Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Single Malt Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 18, 2022

Last Mountain Single Cask Single Malt Whisky is produced in small batches at the Last Mountain Distillery in Lumsden Saskatchewan. I have been following the progress of this distillery since it first came to my attention when they opened their doors as Saskatchewan’s first micro-distillery in August of 2010. Back then, the Last Mountain Distillery was run by its two principals, Colin and Meredith Schmidt, the husband wife team who co-founded the operation. They began by selling vodka and whisky, and I was fortunate enough to be able to taste and review some of their earliest offerings.

Since then the operation has grown by leaps and bounds, and when I checked the distillery’s website I found they now boast 14 full time employees (17 if you count the shop dog, Chloe, and the two Schmidt children, Griffen and Ryker.) The Distillery also boasts a full range of Vodka, Gin, Whisky and Rum as well as an assortment of what they call their unique creations.

Below is the link to the review for the distillery’s new Single Cask Single Malt Whisky, made from 100% Saskatchewan Barley.

Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Single Malt Whisky

“… Vanilla/butterscotch and almond melded nicely into fine oak spice. Hints of leather and milk chocolate appear as does a light fruity quality which reminds me of orange peel and apricot brandy. There is some development in the glass as I let the whisky breathe, the oak spices become more prominent and begin to throw out impressions of cinnamon …”

Please enjoy my latest whisky review.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Single Malt Whisky

 
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