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Posts Tagged ‘Rum’

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Review: Whaler’s Killer Coconut Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 19, 2013

Whalers Coconut bottle shotA few weeks back, I received a few bottles of the different flavours of Whaler’s Rum from the local importer here in Alberta, Diamond Estates. They were hoping I would taste them, share some with my friends, and perhaps write a review or two. I didn’t really know a lot about Whaler’s Rum so I agreed to accept the samples of these “Hawaiian” style rums.

According to the Whaler’s Rum website, the rum is made from an old Hawaiian recipe. The story goes that early seafarers used to rattle vanilla beans in empty rum bottles at sunset to attract migrating whales to their ships. The whales (who apparently were friendly in those earlier days) then guided the sailors to the tropical haven known as Hawaii. There, the seafarers discovered the old rum makers of Maui, and they were so impressed with that rum that they called it Whaler’s in homage to friendly whales who led them to the rum.

You may click on the excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Whaler’s Killer Coconut Rum

“… The aroma is very nice with coconut scents mingling with light caramel and vanilla. I was expecting more intensity in the breezes above the glass from a flavoured rum labeled “Killer Coconut, but the scents in the air above the glass are rather laid back. I guess Killer Whales are more laid back and relaxed than I thought …”

I have included two recipes for the Killer Coconut Rum, the Chocolate Covered Banana and A Day At The Beach.

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Whaler’s Killer Coconut Rum

Review: Atlantico Private Cask Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 9, 2013

Atlantico Private CaskThe Atlantico Private Cask Rum is a private label rum produced by Oliver and Oliver,  for Atlantico Rum. (If you have not heard of Oliver and Oliver, I should explain that they are an independent bottler of rum operating in the Dominican Republic. They buy barreled rum from major rum producers, and age it using a solera style aging system.) Oliver and Oliver were apparently given a specific flavour profile to blend towards, and then working in conjunction with the Atlantico team, the Private Cask Rum was developed through a series of blending and tasting exercises. The result is a rum constructed to be a smooth easy to sip rum which is hoped will appeal to a wide variety of palates.

About two years ago, I was lucky enough to be treated to an information session hosted by Brandon Lieb, of the Atlantico Importing Company. I was allowed to sample their present offering, Atlantico Private Cask Rum, as well as sample some products which were in development. As their guest, I was given a bottle of the Atlantico Private Cask Rum after the presentation, and I decided to review the rum here on my website.

You may click on the review excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Atlantico Private Cask Rum

“… I remembered that the Atlantico representatives I met in Miami described the rum which they constructed as a product which they hoped would be very easy for the new rum drinker to enjoy, somewhat of a gateway sipping rum for the uninitiated. It is meant to be smooth and easy to sip with a flavour profile to suit a wide variety of palates. In this regard the rum succeeds wildly. It is very smooth in its initial delivery, and the sweet caramel and honey notes will certainly be appreciated by a wide variety of persons …”

Please enjoy my review and do try my suggested recipe, the Atlantico Mule, which is of course a variation of the popular, Spanish Mule.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Atlantico Private Cask Rum

Review: Rum Nation Panama 18 Years (2010 Release)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 5, 2013

SAM_0623 Panama 18Panamanian rum from the Valera Hermanos Distillery has been bottled by Rum Nation since 1999. The 18-year-old rum from Panama is acquired in bulk from Valera Hermanos and shipped overseas to Italy for labeling and bottling. After the successful introduction of this bottling 13 years ago, the company has continued to purchase bulk rum from Panama with an annual production of roughly 6,000 bottles per year.

I was given a bottle of the 2010 release (bottled at 40 % abv.) for the purpose of this review by Crush Imports who distribute the Rum Nation line-up in my home Province of Alberta.

You may click on the excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Rum Nation Panama 18 Years (2010 Release)

” …The initial scent rising from the glass is full of butterscotch, cinnamon and cloves. A zesty wood spice arises as well giving the aroma a touch of brashness. As the glass breathes, I notice some brown sugar, vanilla, baking spices and roasted pecans all wandering through the breezes giving me a impressions of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. Some orange peel in the breezes, and a little dark tobacco keep the aroma spicy and interesting… “

Please enjoy this review of this very nice Panamanian Rum!

Note: For more reviews of the Rum Nation line-up you can follow these links:

Cheers!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 2, 2013

rum-plantation-guyana-bThe Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum is a pot-distilled, Demerara rum which is produced from molasses using an extra long fermentation period prior to distillation. The rum is first aged in Guyana in used bourbon barrels after which it is transported from Jamaica to France by Cognac Ferrand to be finished in their own warehouses and of course their own Cognac Casks.

Cognac Ferrand has long had a special relationship with a variety of Caribbean rum producers which is based upon the rum producer’s need for quality oak casks to age their rum. Based upon this relationship, Cognac Ferrand is able to acquire certain old and unique batches of rum from various Caribbean sources, which they bring back to France and finish in their own warehouses and of course their own Cognac Casks. This Demerera Rum was one such unique batch of rum acquired by Cognac Ferrand. It was bottled at 42 % alcohol by volume as part of Cognac Ferrand’s growing line-up of Plantation Rum.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The initial nose from the glass is full of oak tannins which have been tainted with a woody spiciness, rich toffee,and orange peel. I smell light baking, an almond nuttiness, and a firm vanilla. I like the nose, it is spicy, and full of character…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

Please enjoy the review and the wonderful cocktail suggestion (Comfortably Numb) I have suggested for this fine rum!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

Review: Blackheart Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 26, 2013

SAM_0626 Spiced MandieBlackheart is a relatively new spiced rum from the Blackheart Rum Co, a whole owned subsidiary of Heaven Hill Distilleries. The rum caught my eye, or rather the blackhearted siren on the label  caught my eye at a local trade show, and I decided to investigate this new over-proof offering in the spiced category. The local importer, Diamond Estate Wines and Spirits, was more than happy to accommodate me by providing me a bottle to review as well as sell sheets and pictures.

Those sell sheets give a glimpse of the marketing strategy:

“Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum is imported rum with spice, caramel and other natural flavors. Blackheart is a high-proof spiced rum that embodies an edgy, hip lifestyle. It is premium quality rum without the premium price.”

Bottled at 46.5 % alcohol by volume, the rum may indeed have a bit of an edge to it. Although I guess I had better get tasting to find out.

You may click on the review excerpt to read the full review which includes a great new recipe of mine called the Spiced Mandie:

Review: Blackheart Spiced Rum

“… The initial nose is tainted with hints of black cherry, cinnamon, licorice and indistinguishable peppery spices which accent the caramel rum scent. The combination is quite interesting and reminds me of Dr. Pepper soda (but not nearly so sweet which I hope bodes well for the spiced rum) …”

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Blackheart Spiced Rum

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