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Posts Tagged ‘Whisky Review’

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Whisky Review: Wiser’s De Luxe Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 14, 2010

Wiser’s De Luxe Canadian Whisky

I am continuing my journey through the Wiser’s family of Canadian whiskies. Previously I have reviewed, the Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky, and the Wiser’s Red Letter Canadian Whisky. I am writing my reviews in no particular order, preferring to sample and taste at my leisure rather than conforming to a particular schedule.

Wiser’s De Luxe is a premium whisky from Wiser’s Canadian Distillers, (owned by H. Corby Distilling Company).  Originally founded by John Philip Wiser, the company has produced Whisky since 1957.  In fact, it may have been J.P. Wiser who first used the Term “Canadian Whiskey” on a whisky label when he introduced his brand of whisky to the World at the Chicago’s World fair in 1893.

Today Wiser’s De Luxe is distilled at the Hiram Walker Distillery in Walkerville, Ontario (since 1989), and aged in their facilities at Pike Creek near Lakeshore Ontario.   There is no age statement on the Wiser’s De Luxe, but my sense from the sampling and tasting is that we have a blend of whiskies no younger than 8 years and perhaps as old as 12.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“….I took my first sip of  Wiser’s De Luxe, and I was delighted by an aggressive oak toffee which coated my tongue and provided the foundation for the whisky’s flavour profile.   The oak is deep and rich in the mouth with a hint of smoke (perhaps this is a whisper of dried fruit instead).   I also taste orange peel, vanilla, corn and rye in that order of dominance.  A wonderful mildly sweet honey and caramel lies under these flavours….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Wiser’s De Luxe Canadian Whisky

As well as the review I have provided a new cocktail suggestion for Wiser’s De Luxe Canadian Whisky.

Please Enjoy the review.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 4, 2010

Bruichladdich Black Art
1989 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (19 Years Old)

Bruichladdich (Pronunciation = Brook Laddie) distillery was built in 1881 on Hebridean Isle, in what is now known as the Islay region of Scotland.  It was one of many distilleries, which despite it long history and tradition of whisky making, was closed in 1994 due to industry consolidation.  The distillery no longer produced whisky, but the existing stocks left inside continued to age.  The good news is that on 19th December, 2000, the distillery was purchased by a small band of investors.  It was  renovated and reopened, and on May 21, 2001 the distillery once again began to distill whisky.

This small band of investors has proceeded to turn the Scottish whisky world upside down.  They love to blend and bottle their whisky in small artisan production runs using a multitude of unique finishing casks.  Borrowing ideas from their own past experiences, they are bringing to market a variety of  one of a kind whiskies, the like of which the Scottish Whisky World has never seen before.

The Bruichladdich 1989 Black Art is just such a bottling.  Master Blender, Jim McEwan,  used 1989 Vintage whisky stocks and a secret combination of wine finishing casks to create this unusual Vintage Single Malt Whisky.  Although I have tried to find out which types of wine casks were used to finish this whisky, my research was to no avail. Apparently, Mr McEwan didn’t allow anybody to see.   All we know is what is written on the bottle, which is where I will start the review (click on the link below to read the full review):

Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

As per my usual style, I have added an original cocktail I call The Warlock.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

Whisky Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 30, 2010

Over the next several months, I plan to complete a review series of  Wiser’s Canadian Whiskies    I will start with a relatively new member to the Wiser’s portfolio, the Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky, and then I will wander through their whisky family, reviewing the Wiser’s Special Blend, The Wiser’s Deluxe, and the Wiser’s 18 Year Old in no particular order.  I will also complete a full review of a brand new Wiser’s Canadian Whisky, Wiser’s Legacy.   ( I have previously provided a first impression of the Legacy (click the link to read this first impression), and now that the Wiser’s Legacy  bottles will hit the store shelves soon it seems a good time to do this review series.)

An astute person may ask about the Wiser’s Red Letter Whisky, the recently named Canadian Whisky of the Year in the Jim Murray 2010 Whisky Bible,  but an even more astute person will realize that I reviewed the Red Letter last year in November. A second review so quickly is hardly necessary.  If you are interested,   The review for the Wiser’s Red Letter whisky can be found here.

I  confess that I look forward with great anticipation to this review series.  I have always enjoyed the Wiser’s Whisky brands and the chance to give the entire whisky family a good once over with my review system is an opportunity that I cannot resist.

Here is an excerpt from my first review for the Wiser’s Small batch Canadian Whisky:

“The whisky is soft and supple on the tongue with a richness that I do not encounter in the Canadian Whisky Category very often.  Hot oak spices tickle the tongue in a smooth delivery which carries flavours of  butterscotch, maple, and ripe fruit.  Corn and light rye flavours provide the foundation upon which  the sweeter flavours are carried….

You may read the entire review here:

Whisky Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

As usual I have a few cocktail suggestions for this whisky. Enjoy the review.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 28, 2010

Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991
16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The 1991, Isle of Jura, 16 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky was distilled at the Isle of Jura distillery in 1991 and set down to age in bourbon casks. At some point in the history of this malt, several casks (perhaps seven or eight) were purchased by the private bottler Murray McDavid. These casks were chosen for their special character, and in 2007 they were blended and bottled in a Limited Release Bottling numbering only 1500 bottles.   Three of these bottles have found a way into my possession, and I am pleased to review the contents of one of them and share the results of this hard labour with you.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…Honey and caramel drift out of the glass with a gentle sweetness that is inviting.  As the glass sits, deeper scents of ripe fruit and spicy oak follow with a very small whisper of salty smoke trailing in the breeze.  A touch of water opens the ripe fruit to reveal apricots and peaches is a spicy sweet syrup….”

You may read the full review and the cocktail I have chosen for this splendid whisky here:


Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991
16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch

Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 23, 2010

I have come to my final review of the series of McClelland’s Single Malt Whiskies.  McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt whisky is the least typical of the four main expressions of this brand. In fact, it was difficult for me, in a blind taste test, to associate this whisky with any particular region, or should I say style, of Scottish whisky. In the end, I correctly named this a Lowland whisky in a blind taste test, more as a matter of default, than by ascertaining distinct lowland characteristics from the dram. The whisky is produced by Morrison Bowmore Distillers. It is distilled from a distillery in the Lowland region of Scotland, and selected to represent the character and essence of the Lowland whisky region.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…This whisky is somewhat of a yellow/golden colour in the glass.   When I swirl the glass I noticed only a light oil and very skinny legs on the sides of the glass.  The aroma from the glass was unexpectedly harsh. I would describe it as acrid and pungent.  I also received charred woody aromas and darkly caramelized sugars….”

You may read the full review Here:

Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch

As well I have an excellent cocktail suggestion from forrest, The Lowland Holiday Scotch Sour.  Enjoy the review

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch

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