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Posts Tagged ‘Review’

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Review: Cane Island Panama Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 5, 2023

Cane Island is a rum brand owned by Infinity Spirits, who appear to be based in Amsterdam. The Cane Island Brand showcases rums which are sourced from iconic Island rum nations in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the world. Each one of these countries has a long history of rum production with their own styles and traditions. The rum selections consist of Single Island Blends and Single Estate Rums. The Single Island Blends are blends of rum coming from different distilleries from one island, whereas the Single Estate Rums are sourced from one single distillery.  

According to the company website, Cane Island Panama Rum was distilled at the Varela Rum Distillery in Panama. The spirit is column distilled from molasses and tropically matured in ex-bourbon casks for 3 to 8 years before being bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review and tasting notes:

Review: Cane Island Panama Rum

“… Butterscotch, fine oak spice, almond and orange peel complimented by vanilla and light baking spices (ginger and cinnamon). Perhaps I also notice a mild impression of coconut although it seems to disappear as quickly as it appears. As the glass breathes, the butterscotch, almond and vanilla merge together giving me a sense of marzipan …”

I hope you enjoy this review which includes my serving suggestion, The Railcar.

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Cane Island Panama Rum

Whiskey Review: Knob Creek Bourbon Whiskey

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 2, 2023

I’ve been away for a while as I spent August with the family as we travelled to Langley BC to watch my son compete at the Canadian National Track Meet where he took home a bronze medal in the 100M wheelchair finals.

Now that September is here, I have lots to catch up on. I thought I would begin with a look at one of my favourite bourbon whiskeys.

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was originally promoted as part of Jim Beam’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection. This collection is composed of Knob Creek, Booker’s, Baker’s  and Basil Hayden’s. Although Jim Beam Distillers no longer promotes the Small Batch Collection, I would like to suggest that this selection of premium bourbon played no small part in the explosion of popularity of the spirit for whiskey enthusiasts. (It certainly has a positive impact on me.)

Knob Creek is the oldest of these small batch whiskeys, and is aged a full nine years in newly charred oak barrels, then bottled at 100 proof or 50 % alcohol by volume. The whiskey brand is owned by Beam Global and is produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky.

I have recently began to revisit this collection of whiskies (see my review of Baker’s Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey here), and I continued this look back with sample of Knob Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon. Here is a link to my recently revised review:

Review: Knob Creek Bourbon Whiskey

“… As spicy as this is, there is also plenty of vanilla and brown sugary sweetness which gives the whiskey a rum-like feel as flavours of Demerara sugar, rich caramel, and sticky orange marmalade provide a firm counterbalance to the spicy heat and alcohol push. Tasty baking spices (nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves), hints of chocolate and toasted walnuts add to the rich flavour …”

Please enjoy the review, Chimo!

Posted in American Whiskey, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Whiskey Review: Knob Creek Bourbon Whiskey

Review: Sheringham Raincoast Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 20, 2023

Sheringham Distillery is located in Sooke B.C., a locale which overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Southern Vancouver Island. The name ‘Sheringham” is an homage to the name original name given to the area in 1846. When the first postal service arrived and the first Post Office was built, the name Sheringham was shortened to ‘Shirley’ so that it would fit properly on the postage stamp. (The Distillery was originally located at Shirley B.C which is about 20 minutes north of Sooke.)

The distillery produces a number of gins, two of which I have already reviewed,  Sheringham Seaside Gin which is a traditional juniper forward gin with a unique Island twist. They also produce the Beacon Gin (formerly Kazuki Gin) which brings an oriental flair to the Sheringham style.

Sheringham Raincoast Gin is one of their newer offerings said to be inspired by the fresh rainfall that feeds the lush temperate rainforest and is expressed through coastal botanicals, traditional juniper, and citrus. It is meant to be an approachable gin which presents presents impressions of the west coast through notes of nettle and oakmoss.

Here is a link to my recently published review:

Review: Sheringham Raincoast Gin

“… Juniper and citrus jump out of the glass giving me an impression of a classic juniper forward gin with a lively brightness that is very appealing. Rich mossy notes follow giving the gin a nice earthy undertone. Hints of chlorophyll are implied whether from the impression of green oakmoss or as a side effect of the nettles is hard to say …”

Please enjoy my review and stay tuned for more gin reviews as the summer continues.

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Sheringham Raincoast Gin

Review: Compagnie Des Indes – Caraibes (Rum)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 17, 2023

Compagnie des Indes is a French spirits company which produces a growing family of rums selected from various rum producers from all over the world. They import these rums into France, and offer them either as single cask offerings (representing a cane spirit from a particular geographical region) or as carefully selected blends.

Caraibes is one of those carefully selected blends featuring rums from Trinidad, Barbados and Guyana. The rums which form the basis for the blend are stated on the bottle to have been aged between 3 and 5 years in ex-bourbon barrels.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Compagnie Des Indes – Caraibes (Rum)

“… Light butterscotch, almond, licorice, and vanilla with fine wood spice, banana and orange peel following.There is a funky herbal note rising into the air, indicating that perhaps some of the liquid was distilled from a short column or perhaps a pot still …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with a nice cocktail suggestion, my Embargo Cocktail.

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Compagnie Des Indes – Caraibes (Rum)

Review: Hendrick’s Neptunia Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 12, 2023

Hendrick’s Neptunia is one of the new peculiar Limited Edition spirits in the Hendrick’s Cabinet of Curiosity lineup which has recently arrived in Canada sporting odd names like Lunar, Flora Adora, Orbium and in this case Neptunia.

Hendricks Neptunia Gin was created by their Master Distiller Lesley Gracie. According to the promotional materials sent to me:

Hendricks Neptunia is a limited release that captures the magic of the sea, in a gin. Ms. Lesley Gracie’s creation is as refreshing as her muse, the mighty waves that lash the Ayrshire coast. Infused with an exquisite blend of locally sourced coastal botanicals and with a remarkable crisp citrus finish.

Here is a link to my review and tasting notes:

Review: Hendrick’s Neptunia Gin

“… Bright citrus zest and spicy coriander lead out in front of juniper with a light touch of menthol freshness. (I guess this touch of menthol is meant to represent the effervescence of the coastal sea spray.)  Cucumber and red berries wander into the flavour profile with the blush of a flowery bouquet settling into the background …”

Please enjoy my review and stay tuned for more selections from Hendrick’s Gin throughout the summer.

Chimo!

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