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Posts Tagged ‘Whisky’

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Beyond Islay: Part 7 – Ledaig 18 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 12, 2017

ledaig-18yoIt is back to the Isle of Mull for the finale of my Beyond Islay Single Malt Whisky review series. The series of reviews has been based upon 7 different Single Malt Whiskies I taste at the Beyond Islay tasting event hosted by Ryan Engen who is the Director of Spirits, for Liquor Stores N.A. Inc. at the Edmonton Wine and Beyond McTagggert Ridge location. At the tasting,Ryan had selected Single Malt Whiskies which represented the diversity of Scotland’s Island Whiskies produced on the lesser known Scottish Islands.

As indicated, Ledaig is produced at the Tobermory Distillery upon the Isle of Mull. The peated spirit was matured for 18 years in oak casks and then finished in ex-Sherry casks.

Here is a link to my review:

Beyond Islay: Part 7 – Ledaig 18 Year Old:

“… The breezes above the glass carried a complex aroma with peat smoke entwined with sherry-like scents of cherry licorice and raisins. Baking spices came forward with rum-like dark brown sugar mixed with vanilla and bits of cinnamon and clove. The peaty scents were somewhat pungent as organic boggy smells mixed with oily phenols, licorice root and menthol …”

Please enjoy my review which ends with a short cocktail, What Rough Beast.

Chimo!

 

 

 

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Islay: Part 7 – Ledaig 18 Year Old

Beyond Islay: Part 6 – Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015 Bottling)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 5, 2017

2015-de-talisker-bot-70cl-300dpi-a4This is the sixth Single Malt Whisky which I tasted at the Beyond Islay tasting event hosted by Ryan Engen who is the Director of Spirits, for Liquor Stores N.A. Inc. at the Edmonton Wine and Beyond McTagggert Ridge location. At the tasting I enjoyed 7 different Single Malts in what was termed the Beyond Islay Single Malt Whisky Tasting. The Whiskies at the tasting were selected to represent the diversity of Scotland’s Island Whiskies reaching beyond the popular Islay Whiskies to the malts produced on the lesser known Islands. Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015) continues our exploration as we visit the Isle of Skye in which is the largest and the northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015) is produced from peated malted barley. The spirit was distilled in 2005 and prior to bottling was finished in Amoroso Sherry casks before being bottled at 45.8 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015)

“… As the glass breathes I notice some nice butterscotch and caramel notes which seem to be lightly accented with smokey tones of dry fruit (dates and raisins). There are also sweet malty notes, and the peat has both a light briny quality and a mild herbal quality that reminds me of menthol and heather …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my serving suggestion, the Rob Roy Cocktail.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Islay: Part 6 – Talisker Distiller’s Edition (2015 Bottling)

Review: Caldera Hurricane 5 Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 1, 2017

northumberland-sam_3013

Northumberland Cocktail

Caldera Distilling is a new Canadian distillery located in the historical shipbuilding community of River John, in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Interestingly, on the distillery property, (inside a barn which has been standing since at least 1939) a curious handwritten notation was found on one of the old supporting beams of the structure. This notation reads, “October 18 1939 Storm”. When the official records for the area were inspected, it was discovered that this particular storm was recorded as Hurricane #5.

Apparently this Atlantic storm was so severe that someone thought to make note of it in this particular place. I am only guessing, but perhaps the barn served as a refuge of sorts for someone, or perhaps a group of people who were seeking protection from the hurricane. Caldera Hurricane 5 Canadian Whisky serves as a link to this piece of history regarding the River John community and the storm known as Hurricane #5.

Here is a link to my latest Canadian Whisky Review:

Review: Caldera Hurricane 5 Canadian Whisky

“… The entry is smooth with an interesting combination of fruity rye and sweet corn. Flavours of butterscotch and vanilla mingle with fine wood spice, and soon impressions of baking spices develop as well (cinnamon and a touch of cloves and nutmeg). There is a little orange peel struggling to make the transition to marmalade, and a light winding of grassy tobacco and nutty almond flavours …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my latest cocktail creation, the Northumberland Cocktail.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Caldera Hurricane 5 Canadian Whisky

Beyond Islay: Part 5 – Jura Superstion

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 26, 2017

jura-superThis is the fifth Single Malt Whisky (in my seven part series) which I tasted at the Beyond Islay tasting event hosted by Ryan Engen who is the Director of Spirits, for Liquor Stores N.A. Inc. at the Edmonton Wine and Beyond McTagggert Ridge location. At the tasting I enjoyed 7 different Single Malts in what was termed the Beyond Islay Single Malt Whisky Tasting. The Whiskies at the tasting were selected to represent the diversity of Scotland’s Island Whiskies reaching beyond the popular Islay Whiskies to the malts produced on the lesser known Islands. Jura Superstition continues our exploration as we visit the Isle of Jura which is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, situated just a little north-east of Islay.

Jura Superstition is said to be  a union of two whisky styles, a bold peated whisky (about 13 % of the blend) and non-peated lighter more delicate whiskies. The spirit is meant to revel in the ancient superstitions which surround the Isle of Jura.

According to the Jura Single Malt Whisky website:

Jura is an island wrapped in Superstition with a litany of strange and bewildering customs. It is believed that pouring from this bottle with the Ankh cross in the centre of your palm is a ritual that will bring good health and good fortune.

The spirit has no age statement, but is priced similarly to the Isle of Jura 10 and 12 Year Old Whiskies which perhaps give us a hint at the age of the whiskies in the blend.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Jura Superstition Single Malt Whisky

“… If I closed my eyes and held the glencairn under my nose I could imagine I was in an evergreen forest with damp moss covering the ground. A boggy meadow must be nearby as I smell damp peat under the meadow grass, with lush ferns and willow bushes clinging to its edges. Sawgrass and timothy hay are growing in the meadow with summer flowers just beginning to bloom …”

Please enjoy my review which contains a cocktail suggestion for lightly peated whiskies, Blood and Sand.

Chimo!

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Islay: Part 5 – Jura Superstion

Review: The Glenrothes Peated Cask Reserve

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 22, 2017

black-cove-sam_3014Berry Bros. & Rudd is one of London’s oldest Wine and Spirits Merchant with over 300 years of experience and tradition from which to draw upon. The company began its operation at 3 – St. James’s Street (in London, UK) in 1698, and still operates from that same location today. Although they are primarily merchants of wine, the company has a strong presence in the sale of distilled spirits as well.

Berry Bros. & Rudd developed the Cutty Sark brand in 1923. In 2010 Cutty Sark (the brand) was sold to The Edrington Group. As part of the arrangement Berry Bros. & Rudd acquired The Glenrothes Single Malt Whisky brand.

The Glenrothes Peated Cask Reserve is produced from 1992 Vintage stocks which were given an added maturation time in selected casks which were acquired from Islay. The intent od this second maturation was to add a hint of peat smoke to the Glenrothes Whisky flavour profile. This bottling represents the first such whisky produced by the distillery.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: The Glenrothes Peated Cask Reserve

“… I taste a firm but mild herbal peat complemented by orange peel and oak spice. The flavour is sweetened just a little with a light winding of butterscotch. There is some menthol and herbal grassiness, and when I chew the whisky, an intense oak spiciness manifests itself with an increased build-up of malty sweetness …”

Please enjoy the review which concludes with my cocktail suggestion, the Black Cove.

Chimo!

 

 

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: The Glenrothes Peated Cask Reserve

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