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Posts Tagged ‘Whisky’

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Whiskey Review: Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 3, 2010

Last year I purchased a bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel  Kentucky Bourbon, the 1998 vintage.  It sat on my shelf, waiting and  waiting to be opened.  I had only one bottle and to be honest it looked  so nice that I really did not want to ruin the look of my liquor cabinet  by opening it.  It was in my “save for a special occasion” shelf.  Then  something wonderful happened.  My good friend, Dennis was given a  bottle as well.  He had no such compunction to save the elixir and he  happily agreed to share some samples with me.   (In case you feel I was  taking advantage of him, I should let you know that this is a mutual  thing that we do,  I share, and he shares, and everyone is very happy as  we both get to try many more wonderful spirits this way.)

Now Evan Williams Single Barrel whiskeys are indeed something very  special.  They have been winning awards since 1990, in a vast variety of  Spirit’s journals, magazines and contests including Gold Medals at the  Prestigious San Fransisco World Spirits Competition for their 1993 and 1994 bottlings.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…After taking a deep wiff of the air around my whiskey glass, I close my eyes.  In my imagination, I have just stumbled into a sawmill where they are cutting large rough timber beams.  I can smell the wood tannins exposed on the sides of the timber and the fresh cut wood grain scent is delightful.  Of course there is much more than oak timbers in the glass:  wild honey,  rich vanilla, toffee, caramel and hints of molasses rise from the glass in a rich vibrant aroma which is spicy and tannin filled….”

Your may read the full review here:

Review: Evan Williams Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon

I have supplied a myriad of cocktails for the review for your enjoyment!

Posted in American Whiskey, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Whiskey Review: Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon

Whiskey Review: McClelland’s Islay Single Malt

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 25, 2010

The McClelland’s Single Malt Islay Whisky brand is has been distilled and constructed to represent a particular region, or maybe I should say style, of Scottish whisky, the Islay style.  This whisky brand is owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers, and their Islay whisky  has been distilled in the Islay region of Scotland and selected to represent the character and essence of that particular whisky region.

I was able without much difficulty to determine the Islay Scotch whisky in a blind taste test.  Of course anyone should be able to discern a typical “Islay” malt in a blind taste test.

You may read more of the review here:

Review: McClelland’s Islay Single Malt Whisky

I also constructed an Islay cocktail which I chose to call, The Smokey Carburetor, I hope you like it.

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

Whisky Review: Crown Royal XR Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 21, 2010

This is the last review in the series of reviews I am doing for the Crown Royal Family of Whiskies.  My previous reviews were for the regular Crown Royal Whisky, The Crown Royal Reserve, and The Crown Royal Cask No. 16.  I missed the Crown Royal Limited Edition but that’s the way things go sometimes, and unless I receive a sample bottle for review it shall remain omitted, as I think everyone can get a good feeling for the Crown Royal family based upon the four completed reviews.

Here is an excerpt from the latest review:

“…The XR has a rich oak filled nose with a definite bourbon flair accented by vanilla and toffee scents.    A swirl of my glass reveals all kinds of legs.  An army of long skinny legs first trails quickly back into the glass followed by fat droopy legs which gather as droplets on the sides of the glass…”

You can read more here:


Review: Crown Royal XR (Extra Rare) Canadian Whisky

 

Please enjoy the review and the premium cocktails provided!


Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Crown Royal XR Canadian Whisky

Whisky Review: McClellands Highland Single Malt

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 18, 2010

The McClelland’s whisky brand is comprised of four main expressions, each associated with a particular region, or maybe I should say style, of Scottish whisky.  The Brand is owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers, but each whisky in the line up is distilled separately in the region for which it is named.  For example, the McClelland’s Highland Single Malt Whisky, is distilled in the Highland region of Scotland and selected to represent the character and essence of that particular whisky region and style.

In this respect the McClelland’s Single Malt Whiskies have been constructed very well as in a blind taste test I was able without much difficulty to determine the Scotch whisky region each bottle represented.

Over the next several weeks I shall be examining the McClelland range of whiskies doing a separate review for each regional whisky.  Here is an excerpt from the first review for the McClelland Highland Single Malt Scotch:

“The whisky is somewhat of a pale orange/gold colour in the glass.   When I swirl the glass I notice only a light oil and very skinny legs on the sides of the glass.  I receive distinct floral notes combined with laid back malty sugars . Rising up immediately after wards are scents of elderberries…”

The complete review may be read here….


Review: McClellands Highland Single Malt

Please enjoy the review!

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

Whisky Review: (Highwood Distillers) White Owl Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 4, 2010

There is a new whisky in Canada, and  it is completely different from any other whisky I have seen. The distillation mash for the whisky is based on wheat, not barley or corn, which is not as surprising as you may think, as the distillers of White Owl Whisky are Highwood Distillers, based in High River, Alberta. They have, after all, been distilling their very wonderful Centennial Whisky with a wheat based mash for many years. It is the next feature of the whisky which I found most interesting and unusual. This is a clear aged  whiskey! In fact if the bottle did not say whisky on the front you might think you were buying Vodka…until you opened the bottle, at which time you would realize that the spirit in the bottle is unmistakably whisky!  The whisky achieves its clear form by the means of carbon filtration. Highwood crafts and blends an aged whisky, and then runs it through a filtration process to remove all colour and smooth out the taste profile. This is a first for me, and I believe a first for Canadian Whisky! In fact Highwood makes the claim that this may be the first clear well aged whisky ever produced.

White Owl Whisky is the creation of Master Blender Glen Hopkins.  The whisky produced in High River is from locally supplied wheat which Hopkins claims “is the best source” for whisky in the entire world.  So without further ado, let me introduce Highwood’s  White Owl Whisky.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“As I take the first sip, the first impression I have is of a soft whisky flavour accented by a hint of licorice.  The oak flavours are mild and there is no harsh tannin or unbridled spice.  Yet in the background, if you let it develop, that true Canadian rye whisky spice and flavour present themselves.  Butterscotch rises and falls as does the hint of licorice and even a touch of cereal grain.  It is all very mellow and very good…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: (Highwood Distillers) White Owl Canadian Whisky

Of course I have provided a few nice cocktails which follow the review.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Highwood Distillers of High River, Alberta was created as Sunnyvale Distillers in 1974.  During the first 35 years, the company saw moderate but steady growth.  A new management team was put in place in 1997, and in 2005 that the company asserted itself as a dominant player in the Canadian whisky industry with the acquisition of the Potters brand (Andres Wines).   With this new growth came the need for physical expansion of the facility, new equipment for packaging and a new warehouse directly across the street from the Distillery.  I had the opportunity to tour this new facility on February 17, 2010, and you can find my write up on this tour here:

The Highwood Distillery Tour

Highwood is now a major player in the Canadian Whisky category.  They are the only independent, Alberta owned, distillery in the world.  Boasting aged whisky stocks of up to 30 years, the company is poised to continue its success story into the future.

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | 23 Comments »

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