The Rum Howler Blog

(A Website for Spirited Reviews)

  • Copyright

    Copyright is inherent when an original work is created. This means that the producer of original work is automatically granted copyright protection. This copyright protection not only exists in North America, but extends to other countries as well. Thus, all of the work produced on this blog is protected by copyright, including all of the pictures and all of the articles. These original works may not be copied or reused in any way whatsoever without the permission of the author, Chip Dykstra.

  • Cocktails and Recipes

    Click Image for Awesome Recipes

  • Industry Interviews

    Interviews

    Click the Image for Great Interviews with the Movers of Industry

  • The Rum Howler Interview (Good Food Revolution)

    Click on the Image to see my interview on Good Food Revolution

  • The Rum Howler Blog

    Unknown's avatar

  • Rum Reviews

  • Whisky Reviews

  • Gin Reviews

  • Tequila Reviews

  • Vodka Reviews

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 1,090 other subscribers

  • Subscribe

  • Visitors

    • 15,491,392 pageviews since inception

  • Archives

  • Follow The Rum Howler Blog on WordPress.com

Posts Tagged ‘Review’

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »

Review: 8Track Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 5, 2023

Upbeat Spirits is a company that tries to live up to its name. It was founded by two friends, Matt and Jem, who champion and support unsigned musicians, the independent music scene and of course their 8Track Spiced Rum. The name of this rum pays homage to their love of music using a moniker that was inspired by the iconic recording kit from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

8Track is sold as a premium Spiced Rum which, according to their website, begins with a Caribbean rum distilled from sugar cane molasses which is then blended with an 8-year old vintage rum from Barbados. The blended rums are infused with natural ingredients and spices, namely Seville oranges, vanilla, cloves, ginger and cinnamon.

Here is my review of the Upbeat Spiced Rum:

Review: 8Track Spiced Rum

“… The spices are comfortable and seem to grow as the glass sits. Vanilla, Ginger and Orange Peel seem to be the dominant, but the cloves and cinnamon leave a positive impression as well. My thought at this point is that we have a comfortable spiced rum which is perhaps a little more aggressive than the Captain, but not so aggressive that it loses its way …”

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: 8Track Spiced Rum

Review: Siempre Rebel Cask Northern Gold Series

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 2, 2023

Recently, I received a new tequila sample from Siempre Tequila, namely Siempre Rebel Cask Northern Gold Series which is a Limited Edition reposado. Siempre’s Rebel Casks explore tequila flavours which result from maturation in specific types of oak barrels which are off the beaten path of the ex-bourbon barrel. These are small bottlings, limited to only a few barrels produced each time.

Siempre Rebel Cask – Northern Gold Series has a Canadian twist as it has been aged for 8 months in a bourbon barrel which had previously been used to age Canadian Maple Syrup.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Siempre Rebel Cask Northern Gold Series

“… I notice a light agave sweetness rising into the breezes followed by somewhat mild but peppery spice with hints of vanilla. The agave gains strength as I nose the glass; but it has been softened by the light sweetness of maple. There is a light build-up of heat as the agave spice slowly releases itself from the light maple sweetness. This is not aggressive nor at this point does it seem overly complex; however it is soft and inviting me to sip …”

Please enjoy this review and stay tuned for my look at Siempre’s excluive new bottling, Exclusivo Edicion Especial Vivo which should be ready soon.

Chimo!

Posted in Reposado Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Siempre Rebel Cask Northern Gold Series

Review: Rum Sixty Six English White Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 29, 2023

I encountered Rum Sixty Six (English White Rum) this past Christmas when it was included as a small sample in my Christmas Advent Calendar. As this is a white rum, I set it aside to visit when the weather was warmer. For myself, white rum is generally a spring and summertime indulgence, and I wanted to try the spirit when I would enjoy it the most.

Rum Sixty Six (English White Rum) was originally distilled in the Caribbean where it was matured for two years. The rum made its way across the Atlantic to the Sovereign Distillery in Liverpool, England where it was apparently rectified (or in other words re-distilled).  After this re-distillation, the spirit was rested in copper tanks.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Rum Sixty Six English White Rum

“… Glimpses of mushy plantain, hints of menthol and wisps of orange and banana peel rise into the air, but there is little else. Nothing strikes me as aggressive, but their is very little indication of character either. It’s as if this is a white rum that has taken a journey three quarters of the way to vodka …”

Enjoy the review, and stay tuned for a few more rum reviews in the coming weeks.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Rum Sixty Six English White Rum

Review: Stillhead BC/QC Whisky Maple Syrup Cask Finish

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 26, 2023

The Stillhead Distillery, founded by the Colebank Family, 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.

Stillhead BC/QC Whisky Maple Syrup Cask Finish (that’s quite a mouthful) is the latest addition to the Stillhead whisky Portfolio. It is a 100% British Columbia rye grain whisky first aged in ex-bourbon casks for 3 to 4 years, and then it was finished in whisky barrels which had recently aged Grade A 100% pure, organic and unblended Maple Syrup from Cosman & Webb in Quebec.

This is, I believe, the first Maple Syrup Cask whisky I have tasted and reviewed. You can find my full review using the link provided below:

Review: Stillhead BC/QC Whisky Maple Syrup Cask Finish

“… The whisky has a paler amber hue in the glass and when I bring it to my nose three aspects of the whisky immediately make themselves known in the breezes above the glass. The first is a light maple sweetness, the second is a firm rye-like spiciness, and the third is hints of alcohol astringency stemming from the high bottling proof …”

I hope you enjoy this review which concludes with a nice suggest cocktail, The Barrel Rider.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Review: Hendrick’s Original Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 23, 2023

Hendrick’s Gin’s Master Distiller, Ms. Lesley Grac, has been adding new limited releases to compliment the brand’s growing family of unusual piny spirits. Four of these new expressions, Hendrick’s Flora Adora (featuring a bouquet of fragrant flowers laid out especially by Ms Lesley Gracie), Hendrick’s Lunar Gin (rich with night blooming floral essence), Hendrick’s Neptunia (expresses the sensory delights of the sea coast), and Hendrick’s Orbium (re-imagined with extracts of quinine, wormwood and lotus Blossom) have become available in my locale, and I am expecting delivery of each of these at some point this summer.

 

This means it is a good time to reacquaint myself with Hendrick’s Original Gin and its unusual infusion of cucumber and rose petal.

The people who make Hendrick’s Gin pride themselves on being just a little quirky, and perhaps a bit eccentric. Their offbeat website revels in the odd and the peculiar and seeks to convince all who peruse the site, that Hendrick’s Gin is special exactly because of the things which make it odd and peculiar.

Hendrick’s and Fever Tree Tonic

The gin is produced in Scotland, in the village of Girvin, Ayrshire. The distillery sits  just about a mile inland overlooking the island of Ailsa Craig.  It is made small batches, on two different stills with 11 different botanicals, and infused with cucumber and rose petals.

Here is a link to my recently revised review of Hendrick’s Original Gin:

Review: Hendrick’s Orignal Gin

“… The nose begins with mild citrus tones which are accented by juniper. The influence of the rose petal is perhaps that touch of red berry I am noticing in the background, and a light cucumber influence can be found if I pay attention. I catch hints of lemon-lime and orange as well. And impressions of black licorice and fennel …”

This recent re-evaluation sees my scores for Hendrick’s Gin elevated by a few points as either my appreciation of the spirit is improving, or the spirit has improved.

Chimo!

(PS: Look for my upcoming review series of the Hendrick’s Limited Edition Gins to begin in June.

 

 

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , | Comments Off on Review: Hendrick’s Original Gin

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »