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Posts Tagged ‘Whisky’

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Review: Johnnie Walker Red Label

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 28, 2020

Johnnie Walker is one of the most iconic whisky brands in the world. With its unique square bottle, and the labels tilted off-center, the company has created a strong brand image and its spirit is considered by many to be the quintessential Scottish whisky. The company has been operating since 1820, and has grown steadily to become one of the most important Scottish whisky brands in the world today.

According to my research, Johnnie Walker Red Label has undergone a small change recently. When I published my last review in 2017 it was advertised as containing up to 35 grain and malt whiskies. Today (December 2020) the Johnnie Walker Website has this to say about its iconic blend:

Johnnie Walker Red Label is a powerful mix of up to 30 malts and grains. It’s a combination of light whiskies from Scotland’s East Coast and more peaty whiskies from the West, expertly balanced to create an extraordinary depth of flavour.

With up to 5 grain and malt whiskies no longer in the blend, it could be that we may notice some small changes in the flavour profile, so I thought an updated review might be appropriate.

Here is a link to the new review:

Review: Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Scotch Whisky

“… The initial aroma which rises into the breezes above the glass moderately complex with grain and fine oak spices accompanied by a light sweetness of butterscotch and hints of almond. There is a touch of boggy peat in the air and herbal notes which remind me of heather and menthol …”

Interestingly, my scoring indicates that I like the Red label blend just a little bit more than before.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Scotch Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Johnnie Walker Red Label

Review: Century Reserve Rare Cask Series Beer Barrel

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 10, 2020

I recently received a bottle of Century Reserve Rare Cask Series Beer Barrel aged whisky. Bottle number 1205 to be exact. So I reached out to Highwood Distillers (who produce the Century Reserve brand) to find out a little bit about this new whisky.

Apparently, the folks at Highwood Distillery began a collaboration with Wild Rose Brewery some time ago bringing them freshly dumped charred American White Oak barrels that had previously aged 100% corn Whisky. The Brewery produced a stout ale, and then aged it in those barrels for 3 months making a product called Tenor Stout (which sold out very quickly).

Highwood then brought the barrels back to their distillery and filled them with 100% wheat Whisky and followed it along for 12 months (the point where they felt it had reached its flavoured potential). This Whisky was then brought to bottling proof, filtered and bottled at 42 % alcohol by volume. Including the time spent in Beer Barrels, the finished whisky is about 5 Year Old.

Here is a link to my full review and suggested serving:

Review: Century Reserve Rare Cask Series Beer Barrel

“… Dusty grain, fine oak spices, ginger and sandalwood. Vanilla, almond and light butterscotch. A whisper of malt/stout. A light smattering of additional baking spices with cinnamon and nutmeg. More dusty grain spices …”

Please enjoy my review and the Old Fashioned Cocktail recipe included.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Century Reserve Rare Cask Series Beer Barrel

Review: Forty Creek Resolve (2020 Limited Release)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 5, 2020

Forty Creek Whisky has an annual tradition of producing a special limited release whisky which is built upon the foundation of the company’s flagship whisky, Forty Creek Barrel Select. These annual special releases each seek to bring new character to the Forty Creek family.

The 2020 Limited Release, Forty Creek Solve is a tribute to Master Blender Bill Ashburn and his dedication (and resolve) to create some of the most awarded Canadian whiskies over the past 20 years. He constructed this complex whisky with an elevated spice profile rounded out with a drop of vintage Villard Noir Port.

Here is a link to my review for the latest Forty Creek Whisky annual Limited Edition Release:

Review: Forty Creek Resolve (2020 Limited Release)

“… Brown sugar combined with both oak spice and baking spices (Vanilla, cinnamon and cloves with a nice hit of ginger). Walnuts with raisins and dates lurking as well. Graham wafers, marzipan and marmalade make an appearance as the whisky breathes. This is complex and inviting …”

Please enjoy the review which includes my serving suggestion, the Old Fashioned Cocktail.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Forty Creek Resolve (2020 Limited Release)

Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Rye Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 9, 2020

The Last Mountain Distillery is Saskatchewan’s original micro distillery. It is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Colin and Meredith Schmidt. Colin Schmidt took a rather round about road into the distilling business as his original dream was to play pro hockey. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 1992 and signed his first pro contract in 1996. Unfortunately Colin’s pro hockey experience was brief, cut off by a few shoulder injuries after a brief stint with the big club playing what Colin referred to as “left bench”.

According to the Last Mountain Distillery website their Single Cask Rye is made with locally sourced Rye grain (not malted). The Rye is matured a short time in  new 10-gallon barrels (presumably to oak the spirit more quickly) and then it is placed in used bourbon barrels for 3 – 4 years. Single Barrels are selected for bottling without being chill filtered.

Here is a link to my Full Review:

Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Rye Whisky

“... Although the spirit is heated, the bitterness of the rye grain combined with the spicy oak and citrus zest puckers the palate which actually makes me receptive to another sip. There is a mild sweetness of butterscotch and vanilla which counter-balances the spice … “

Please enjoy my review as I look forward to becoming more active on the website again.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Last Mountain Single Cask Rye Whisky

Review: Canadian Club Apple Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 12, 2020

Canadian Club has once again expanded their flavoured and Spiced whisky line-up as they recently introduced Canadian Club Apple Whisky. The new flavoured whisky is apparently produced by blending Canada Club’s flagship brand, 1858 Canadian Club Canadian Whisky with a hand-crafted apple liquor. According to the advertising:

Fresh, crisp apple aromas meet flavours of cinnamon and hints of caramel on the palate then roll to a smooth, sweet finish. Serve neat or on the rocks with Dutch apple pie.

Canadian Club Apple Whisky is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Canadian Club Apple Whisky

“… The initial nose is lightly sweet indicating some added sweetness (probably from the blended liqueur) and so it takes a little time before the apple scents can break free from the sweetness. Once they do though, it is a nice crisp green apple scent that greets the breezes above the glass …”

Please enjoy my review of this new flavoured whisky from Canadian Club.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Flavoured Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Canadian Club Apple Whisky

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