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Posts Tagged ‘Rum’

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Cocktail Hour: Bourbon Smash

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 6, 2016

Flatboat Smash SAM_2614Here is a recipe based upon the Whiskey Smash as found in Leo Engels 1878 book, American and Other Drinks. Leo adds a dash of Jamaican Rum to the mixed drink which I found rather odd, until I tried it. It turns out that a dab of strongly flavoured dark Jamaican rum adds a very complementary flavour component to the smashing cocktail. Whereas Leo preferred a sugar rimmed glass and an orange peel garnish, I find that a simple embellishment of mint leaf is sufficient to dress the serving.

Please enjoy my cocktail suggestion:

Bourbon Smash

2 oz Flatboat Kentucky Straight Bourbon
dash of Jamaican Rum (Coruba Dark Jamaican Rum)
10 ml Sugar Syrup
4 small mint leaves
1 lime slice
Ice
Mint Sprig

Muddle mint leaves, lime slice, dash of Jamaican rum and sugar syrup in the bottom of a mixing glass
Remove the mint leaves and transfer to a metal shaker
Add Bourbon and Ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker frosts
Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Enjoy Responsibly!

Note: If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

Note: My review of Flatboat Kentucky Straight Bourbon will publish tomorrow!

Chimo!

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2016 Spiced Rum Taste-off: Siesta Key Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 5, 2016

SAM_0469 Siesta Key Spiced RumDrum Circle Distilling is a small artisan distillery located in Sarasota, Florida. Their distillation system was crafted for the distillery by Christian Carl a German company which has been producing distillation systems for over 150 years. Working directly with Christian Carl, Drum Circle Distilling was able to custom design a small-batch copper still (which can be run as a simple pot still or with a side column) which they believe is perfect for making great tasting rum.

Siesta Key Spiced Rum is an interesting spirit. Founder (and Distiller) of Drum Circle Distilling, Troy Roberts, begins with his Silver Rum. Then he adds a bit of his Siesta Gold Rum (reviewed here) to the mix. Finally, he spices the resulting blend using real spices. Troy literally weighs each of the spices and tosses them into a tank of rum to infuse. He uses no corn syrup or other industrial sweetener, instead Mr. Roberts uses honey to add sweetness (and flavor).

Here is a link to my review:

#11 Siesta Key Spiced Rum

“… Here is a spiced rum that refuses to knock me over with vanilla. The sweetness which normally accompanies spiced rum is diminished as well. Instead it is those pumpkin spices which lead out onto my palate. The flavour is just aggressive enough to let you know that you are drinking a spiced rum, but not so aggressive that anything is uncomfortable …”

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I hope you all find this countdown enjoyable and you can follow the rankings here:

The Rum Howler 2016 Spiced Rum Countdown

 

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on 2016 Spiced Rum Taste-off: Siesta Key Rum

Cocktail Hour: The Jerrycan

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 30, 2016

Jerrycan SAM_2690Spiced rums are not necessarily just mixing spirits for soda filled deck drinks (hey, I love refreshing tall bar drinks; but sometimes I prefer shorter more refined cocktails). One of the best examples of a short spiced rum cocktail is the Cable Car which was created in 1996 at the Starlight Room in San Fransisco by Tony Abou-Ganim. Tony’s recipe is based upon the Classic Sidecar; however the Cable Car uses Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum as the base of the cocktail instead of brandy.

When I recently revisited Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, I decided that this popular spirit deserved to be featured in a refined serving as well. Taking my inspiration from my popular gin based cocktail, the March Lion, (which was in turn inspired by the classic cocktail the Red Lion), I set about to make a such cocktail using Sailor Jerry as the base of the libation.

The result of my machinations was the very tasty, Jerrycan.

The Jerrycan

1 1/2 oz Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
1/2 oz Bols Triple Sec
1/2 oz fresh Orange Juice
1/2 oz fresh Lime Juice
dash Sugar Syrup (to taste)
Ice
Orange Peel

Add the first five ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass (double strain to remove all pulp)
Garnish with a thin coil of orange peel and a small lump of ice

Please Enjoy Responsibly!

If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

Note: Sailor Jerry enters my summer spiced rum taste off tomorrow as the 12th best spiced rum currently on my bar shelf.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Cocktail Hour: The Jerrycan

2016 Spiced Rum Taste-off: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 27, 2016

Captain Morgan Black SpicedCaptain Morgan Black Spiced Rum was released in 2012, and it pays homage to the story of Captain Morgan’s burial on the shores of Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica in 1688. Apparently (according to the information sent to my by the Captain Morgan media team) an earthquake struck Jamaica just after the good Captain was buried. His casket was dislodged from its tomb and washed out to sea. It was never recovered, and to this day it has been suggested that perhaps his spirit lives on haunting the seas of the Caribbean searching for his lost remains.

The Captain Morgan website tells us that this rum is crafted with Blackstrap Rum which indicated to me that the rum as well as being spiced has been enhanced with caramel/molasses to enrich the flavour as give the rum its darkened hue. The rum is bottle at 47.3% alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my recently published review:

#13 Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

” … Taking a sip, I notice the rum leads out with a spicy “candied” flavour. I taste cherry licorice, molasses and caramel, lots of vanilla, and spicy cloves and cinnamon. At first I was not overly enthusiastic, but I admit that over time the flavour grew on me. Although it is relatively smooth considering its high alcohol content, the Captain Morgan Black Spiced does still gnaw a little at the tonsils …”

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I hope you all find this countdown enjoyable and you can follow the rankings here:

The Rum Howler 2016 Spiced Rum Countdown

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on 2016 Spiced Rum Taste-off: Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

Review: El Dorado Grand Special Reserve Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 23, 2016

El Dorado IndependenceEl Dorado Rum has recently announced the release of a new special edition rum which celebrates the 50th Year Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence from Britain. This Anniversary Rum is produced from a blend of rums aged 33 to 50 years, and finished with a soupcon of aged pot still rums surviving from El Dorado’s heritage Double Wooden Pot and a since-discontinued John Dore Copper Kettle stills.

The completed rum is bottled at 43 % alcohol by volume and presented in a distinctive crystal decanter adorned by an 18 carat gold collectible medallion. Only 600 bottles will be produced, each individually signed and numbered by the El Dorado Master Blender.

Here is a link to my review of this special Independence Rum:

Review: El Dorado Grand Special Reserve Rum

“… The initial aroma is rich and intimidating with dark caramel and treacle aromas rising laced with the smells of oak sap, tar-like asphalt and gluey resin. Wisps of dry fruit (raisins and dates) and hints of licorice and menthol mingle within as do a impressions of vanilla, dark brown sugar, and cinnamon. As the glass sits the complexity builds with damp cigar tobacco, espresso coffee and sweetened canned fruit (peaches and apricots) …”

Please enjoy the review, Chimo!

 

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: El Dorado Grand Special Reserve Rum

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