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Posts Tagged ‘Review’

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Bitter(s) Review: Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 25, 2019

Nicholas Kosevich and Ira Koplowitz come from a hospitality background. Prior to forming Bittercube they bartended and managed at the Town Talk Diner (Nicholas) in Minneapolis and The Violet Hour (Ira) in Chicago. Nicholas and Ira began producing Bittercube Bitters in 2009. Their company (based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) started by making one gallon batches with real botanicals. Although the batch size is now 210 gallons the handmade process has stayed largely the same as they source botanicals as close to origin as possible to create densely flavored bitters. Bittercube Bitters became available commercially in July, 2010. Today the bitters are found in nearly 30 states and abroad in Canada, Italy and Australia.

According to the company website the Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters are:

Woodsy and aromatic, these rustic bitters have a pleasant aroma of cocoa and bitter almonds, with flavors of vanilla, fennel and star anise.

Here is a link to my full review and cocktail suggestions:

Review: Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters

“… When I put a few drops on my tongue to test the flavour for myself, I did indeed find the bitters ‘woodsy’ with a firm impression of woody tannins and tree bark. Bitter vanilla (taste some real vanilla extract and you will know the flavour) and bitter cocoa could both be tasted as was a light licorice like flavour (fennel) …”

Please enjoy my review and the serving suggestions which follow.

Chimo!

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Review: Dixon’s Wicked Gin (Licorice Botanical Blend)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 22, 2019

Dixon’s Distilled Spirits is located in Guelph Ontario. This small distillery produces two brands of Vodka (Silvercreek and Flaming Caesar), two styles of Wicked Gin (a Licorice Botanical Blend and a Citrus Botanical Blend), as well as a ready to drink mix called Gin Fusion.

According to the back label of the bottle, Dixon’s Wicked Gin (Licorice Botanical Blend) is non-traditional containing notes of juniper, coriander, licorice root, paradise seed, with hints of cinnamon and elderberry. The back label adds that the natural black licorice flavour should pair quite well with lemonade, tonic, and root beer.​

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Dixon’s Wicked Gin (Licorice Botanical Blend)

“… I like that the Wicked Gin is as advertised, a licorice forward spirit. I also like that the juniper has not been drowned out such that the spirit retains its identity as a juniper based spirit …”

I hope you enjoy my review as well as the cocktail which follows.

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Review: The Irishman Vintage Cask 2018 (Irish Whisky)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 20, 2019

Recently (February 7, 2019), Ontario’s LCBO Whisky Shop launched a 7 brand Walsh Whiskey feature which included the 2018 bottling of The Irishman Cask Strength Whiskey. The 2018 version is dubbed The Irishman Vintage Cask 2018 (Irish Whisky).

According to the information sent to me The Irishman Vintage Cask (2018) is Ireland’s most exclusive Whiskey. It is distilled 3 times and aged in American Oak. Each year Bernard Walsh selects a handful of exceptional casks to make his Super Premium Cask Strength Irish Whiskey. It is available in strictly limited quantities with just 3,510 bottles produced in 2018. Each bottle is uniquely numbered and signed. This year’s expression was bottled at 54 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: The Irishman Vintage Cask 2018 (Irish Whisky)

“… Oak and toffee melded with vanilla and almond representing a yummy marzipan. Robust barley grain accented with hints of maple and leather, canned apricots and marmalade. Hints of cinnamon and ginger spice. The whisky seems well-balanced with the barley growing in stature as the dram breathes …”

Please enjoy my review of this exclusive Irish Whiskey.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Irish Whskey, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: The Irishman Vintage Cask 2018 (Irish Whisky)

Bitter Reviews: Fee Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 18, 2019

According to their company website Fee Brothers has been a family business since 1864, and is currently now owned and operated by the fourth generation of the family to do so, Ellen and Joe Fee. The company currently produces about 100 different products including an impressive line-up of Cocktail Bitters,

Fee Aztec Chocolate bitters were inspired by the idea that Ancient Aztecs would celebrate with a bitter beverage made of cacao beans, peppers and spices. Fee Brothers recommends that you use a few dashes of Fee’s Aztec Chocolate Bitters to expand the flavor of your cocktails.

Here is a link to my review of the Aztec Chocolate Bitters:

Review: Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters

“… If you allow a drop to be added it to your mouth instead of the cocktail, you will find the flavour is indeed all about intense chocolate and this chocolate flavour is supported by a nice spicy bite of what appears to be cinnamon …”

Please enjoy the bitter(s) review and the cocktail which accompanies my thoughts.

Chimo!

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Review: Marauda Steelpan Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 15, 2019

Marauda Steelpan Rum is produced by TerraPure Spirits located in North Charleston (South Carolina).

The Steelpan rum was apparently inspired by the steelpan music of Trinidad which evolved from the music created from steel drums (or steelpans) made from discarded steel barrels. This steelpan music is culturally linked to Trinidad but can be found throughout the Caribbean Islands.

Producing this rum begins with a 3-year-old column distilled rum from Trinidad. Added to the blend is a heavier 3-year-old column distilled Demerara rum from Guyana as well as a heavy pot distilled 3-year-old rum from Jamaica.

Here is a link to my completed review:

Review: Marauda Steelpan Rum

“… As the glass breathes I notice orange peel with touches of oak and sandalwood. A fruitiness is apparent as I receive impressions of canned apricots and banana. That Jamaican funk manifests itself with indications of resin and camphor with hints of cinnamon …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with two cocktails for your enjoyment.

Chimo!

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