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Posts Tagged ‘Review’

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Review: Jamaica Lion Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 15, 2018

Jamaica Lion Rums are produced and bottled by Royal Jamaica Rums who are headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica. Royal Jamaican Rums originated at the Monymusk distillery which is one of the oldest plantations on the Island of Jamaica. It is located on the south side of Jamaica in St. Catherine ‘s Town, and has been producing Rum since the 18th century.

Jamaica Lion Spiced Rum is imported into the USA by International Distillers and Vinters who are situated in Everett, Washington. My sample bottle arrived to me via a good friend who recently traveled to Jamaica. He purchased the bottle at one of the Duty Free shops on his way home and brought it over to share with me after his vacation.

Review: Jamaica Lion Spiced Rum

“… The breezes above the glass indicate to me that vanilla is at the forefront of this rum which also carries aromas of treacle and lightly sweet butterscotch. There are indications of of other spices meandering the air, some cinnamon and ginger, with perhaps a hint of cloves,  coriander and nutmeg as well …”

Please enjoy my review and my cocktail suggestion which follows.

Chimo!

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Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Jamaica Lion Spiced Rum

Review: Lohin McKinnon Craft Distilled Single Malt

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 13, 2018

Central City Brewers + Distillers is a small craft producer of beer and spirits. They began business as a brewpub in downtown Surrey (British Columbia), where they created their Red Racer craft beer. After this initial  success they turned their attention to spirits using Canadian Barley to produce their whisky and Rocky Mountain Berries to produce their gin.

According to the company’s website:

We craft our premium spirits on 3 state-of-the-art Holstein Stills, manufactured in Germany on 3 different sizes: 2500 litre, 1250 Litre and 500 litre, to allow greater versatility. All fitted with reflux columns and one with up to 20 plates, this Stills are capable of producing up to 90% ABV and can produce almost any spirit our distiller can imagine.

I sampled Lohin McKinnon Craft Distilled Single Malt  (a collaborative effort between Central City Brewery’s Master Brewer Gary Lohin, and Master Distiller Stuart McKinnon as part of my judging duties for the 2018 Canadian Whisky Awards. I kept brief notes for each of the spirits which I tasted, and after the reveal, I decided to pen a brief review based upon those tasting notes, as well as from a small tasting sample I was able to obtain afterwards.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Lohin McKinnon Craft Distilled Single Malt

“… my tasting notes indicate that the character which stems from barrel aging is just beginning to show itself. The flavours are pleasant, but the light astringency of the dram makes sipping a challenge unless ice is added to the dram. When that ice is added, pleasing milk chocolate flavours come forward …”

Please enjoy my review.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Lohin McKinnon Craft Distilled Single Malt

Review: Leyenda del Milagro Silver Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 11, 2018

Leyenda del Milagro Silver Tequila is produced from estate-grown 100% Blue Weber Agave harvested from the highlands of Jalisco. As a highland tequila,we can expect the Milagro Tequila to exhibit strong fruity citrus notes and to have a little hot pepper in the delivery and in the finish. (This is as opposed to lowland tequila which has stronger earthier flavours of agave and less hot pepper.)

The spirit is produced at Tequilera Milagro, S.A. de C.V. (Nom 1559) where the agave is roasted in brick ovens made from the same volcanic-rich soil where the highland agave fourishes in Jalisco. The roasted agave is shredded to extract the cooked juice which (unlike other tequila brands which are double distilled) is triple distilled in a Copper Pot Still. This makes Milagro a lighter spirit than we would typically expect a silver agave spirit to be.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Leyenda del Milagro Silver Tequila

“… The initial aroma is full of rich earthy agave which brings impressions of baked zucchini and boiled celery into focus. There are also hints of damp punky balsam wood. The typical notes of spicy black pepper and fruity citrus zest are muted somewhat which gives the agave more expression than I typically notice in highland tequila …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my serving suggestion, Lexi’s Cocktail.

Chimo!

Posted in Blanco Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Leyenda del Milagro Silver Tequila

Review: Triple Beam Gin (North of 7 Distillery)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 10, 2018

Greg Lipin and Jody Miall are both avid rock climbers who regularly travel to Kentucky on climbing trips. It was on one of these trips that the two friends developed a passion for ‘brown spirits’ which ultimately led them to opening their own Micro-distillery (North of 7) in Ottawa, Ontario. They currently produce several styles of Canadian Whisky, their Leatherback Dark Rum (sold at 40 % abv. and at 57 % abv.) Triple Beam Gin and Illuminati Vodka.

The subject of this review is the Distillery’s Triple Beam Gin. According to the folks at North of 7:

Triple Beam Gin is made with eleven carefully selected botanicals that are precisely measured on our triple beam scale. We strive to use local ingredients wherever possible, and use juniper berries sourced from Ferme et Foret in Wakefield, Quebec. Vapour infused in 50 L batches, our gin offers a classic dry taste that can be enjoyed in all your favourite gin drinks – martinis, G&T’s, Tom Collins, and even straight up.

During my review, I will be testing that claim as I sample the Triple Beam gin in those classic cocktails as well as sipping the spirit neat and/or on the rocks.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Triple Beam Gin (North of 7 Distillery)

“… Although the juniper is dominant (as it should be); the breezes above the glass also bring other light nuances forward. I sense wisps of licorice and angelica which bring a light earthy quality to the breezes. This is joined by mild impressions of citrus zest (lime) and lightly lemony smells. A beguiling floral component is present which reminds me of a very lightly scented potpourri …”

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

Chimo!

 

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Triple Beam Gin (North of 7 Distillery)

Review: Blackwell Fine Jamaican Dark Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 8, 2018

Blackwell Fine Jamaican Dark Rum is a brand of Jamaican Dark Rum founded by Cris Blackwell (founder of Island Records) and Richard Kirshenbaum (advertising executive and CEO of NSGSWAT). Their rum is apparently produced by J. Wray and Nephew from a recipe developed by Chris Blackwell (with the help of Appleton Estate’s Master Blender Joy Spence. This dark rum is based on a family recipe which hails from the time the Lindo family (who happen to be related directly to Blackwell on his Mother’s side) owned J. Wray & Nephew.

According to the Blackwell Rum website:

The Blackwell family recipe is an original fusion of traditional ‘heavy pot’ dark rum with a distinct “Black Gold” style that creates the perfect, elegant blend of depth, character and smoothness perfect for use in mixed drinks and on its own.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Blackwell Fine Jamaican Dark Rum

“… The nose is quite different from other Jamaican dark rums I have tried. I was expecting a funky push of fragrant esters from the advertised ‘heavy pot’ rum in the blend, but instead I found the nose remarkable restrained. Aromas of treacle (dark almost burnt caramel) led out into the breezes followed by bits of orange peel and dark Cocoa. There are very light hits of dark licorice with some fried fruit …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a serving suggestion at the conclusion.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Blackwell Fine Jamaican Dark Rum

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