Review: 8 Seconds Blended Canadian Whisky

8 Seconds is a new Canadian Whisky from Frank-Lin Distillers, Products Ltd. who have been a bottler and producer of distilled spirits since Frank Maestri founded the company in 1966. (Frank-Lin currently operates out of their new facility in Fairfield California with annual capacity of over 10 million cases of wines and spirits.)

The 8 Seconds brand is marketed with a direct tie to the western rodeo as it makes its push into the North American marketplace. (In case you are wondering, 8 seconds is the amount of time a cowboy must ride a bucking bull, or a bucking bronco, in the rodeo contest before the bell signals his ride is complete.) The whisky itself is a pretty straight forward offering, distilled in Canada and aged in oak. It is (I assume) shipped in bulk from Canada to Frank-Lin’s facility in Fairfield, California for bottling. The whisky has no age statement; but I note that the more premium 8 Seconds Black carries a statement of 8 years. I presume that the less premium 8 Seconds Blended Canadian Whisky would be somewhat younger than that.

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

“… The initial nose carries a fair amount of vanilla and caramel, as well as some rough and tumble wood and rye spices. I let the glass breathe to see if the scents deepen, and indeed the rye spices seem to grow in strength with perhaps a hint of corn joining in.  This is not overly complex, but it is pleasant …”

Please enjoy the review and my cocktail which follows, the Prescott!

Note: The sample was provided by River Valley Beverage Group

Review: Citadelle Gin

Citadelle Gin has a history which stretches back to 1775 when King Louis XVI authorized two Frenchmen, Carpeau and Stival, to open a genievre distillery at the Citadelle in Dunkirk, which would serve as the Royal Distillery with an exclusive 20 year privilege. The Citadelle Distillery produced about 1000 litres of genievre per day which was predominantly shipped in small casks for sale in England, where gin was very popular.

Cognac Ferrand, recognized that in France, gin had become more of an industrial spirit with much of its original heritage and refinement lessened by time. They decided to create a handcrafted gin using small copper pots in the style and tradition of the Citadelle Distillery of old. Fortunately, records existed of the old gin making techniques at the Citadelle Distillery, and after several years of research Alexandre Gabriel was successful in distilling an old style handcrafted gin under the Citadelle name at the Cognac Ferrand facilities in Cognac, France.

Please click on the following excerpt to read the full review which contains a fantastic cocktail recommendation, The March Lion.

“… The initial scents from the glass reveal a fair amount of juniper with hints of the other botanicals reaching my nostrils. Over time, the lightly spicy scent of cardamom appears giving the glass a light effervescent character. The juniper and cardamom are then joined by floral accents (mainly lilac) and a light lemony citrus. There is much more … “

Please enjoy the review, and do try my new March Lion Cocktail.

Review: Atlantico Private Cask Rum

The 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:

“… 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.

Review: Crown Royal Black Canadian Whisky

Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is currently produced in Gimli, Manitoba, at the Crown Royal Distillery. The distillery and the brand are owned by the spirits conglomerate, Diageo, and I think it is fair to say that Crown Royal is Diageo’s flagship Canadian Whisky brand. A couple of years ago Crown Royal Black was introduced as an addition to the Crown Royal family of whiskies. This new Crown Royal Black is a bit of a departure from the rest of the Crown Royal line-up featuring a stronger bourbon profile in the whisky through the use of new charred oak barrels during a portion of the maturation process of the whisky. It is bottled at 45% alcohol by volume and is intended as a robust alternative to their best-selling Crown Royal Whisky.

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

“… I smell rich oak spices melded with caramel toffee, some lovely bourbon-like honeycomb and vanilla with hints tobacco and rye spices and a light influence of maple and chocolate. As I let the glass breathe, some rum-like brown sugar aromas evolve and I seem to sense some light corn accents in the breezes as well. The Crown Royal Black appears to be well-balanced and quite robust in the glass …”

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail suggestion included, The Long Autumn.

Review: Rum Nation Panama 18 Years (2010 Release)

Panamanian 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:

” …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:

• Rum Nation Demerara Solera N° 14
• Rum Nation Demerara 23 Year Old
  
• Rum Nation Panama (Aged 21 years)

Cheers!

Review: Wiser’s Small Batch

Founder, John Philip (J.P.) Wiser, purchased a distillery in Prescott, Ontario in 1857, and began to produce Wiser’s Whisky. In fact the J.P. Wiser Distillery may have been the first to use the term “Canadian Whiskey’ on their labels, as this is how the whisky was proudly introduced at the 1893 Chicago’s Wold’s Fair. From the beginning, J.P. Wiser established his brand as a quality whisky with high standards of production. As a result the distillery grew, as did the popularity of his style of whisky. By the early 1900′s Wiser’s was the third largest distiller of whisky in Canada.

The company merged with the H. Corby Distillery Company sometime after the death of J.P. Wiser in 1917.  Shortly after in 1932, production of the Wiser’s brands moved to the Corby Distillery. A controlling interest in the Corby Distillery was acquired by Hiram Walker several years later, and by 1989, the Corby Distillery was closed, and all production was moved to the Hiram Walker Distillery where all Wiser’s brands are currently produced. Through all of these changes the Wiser’s Brand has been recognized as a vital component of the company’s portfolio of brands, and now, 150 years later after it all started, Wiser’s remains one of Canada’s leading whisky brands. In fact, Wiser’s is one of the top-selling brands of Canadian Whisky worldwide.

I have been on a bit of a mission these days re-sampling the spirits from older reviews, and seeing if my views have changed over the course of the last three to four years. Recently I sampled a new bottle of Wiser’s Small Batch. Although my impressions were very similar to my original review, I nevertheless revised the review slightly to account for the small changes in my perspective.

You may click on the excerpt to read my review:

Review Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

“… Oak and brown sugar rise from the glass which has a nice rum-like accent. As the glass breathes, rye spice, caramel, oak and cedar,  corn, tobacco, marmalade and baking spices round out the nose which is remarkably deep and complex. I found nosing the glass to be thoroughly enjoyable …”

Please enjoy my recent revisit to the Wiser’s Small Batch!

Review: Beluga Noble Gold Line Vodka

Beluga Noble Gold Line Vodka is an exclusive ultra-premium Vodka and according to the Beluga Website, it is manufactured from malted spirit and pure Getreidemalz Siberian spring water. Even though artesian spring water is naturally pure, for this Vodka, the spring water must also undergo an extra filtration for an even higher level of purity. After being distilled five times, the vodka is enriched with special ingredients such as rice extract and golden root (rhodiola rosea) extract. The addition of minute quantities of special ingredients is consistent with what I know of traditional European production methods where each distilled vodka has its own recipe and its own special ingredients. It is these special ingredients used in very small proportions which contribute to the individual character of each Vodka. (By small quantities I really do mean small; typically these extra ingredients are measured in parts per million.) After all of this, the Vodka is rested for 90 days before bottling. This rest period apparently allows the molecular components within to stabilize allowing for a smoother more velvet-like mouth-feel and taste.

Beluga Noble Gold Line Vodka has recently been introduced into my home Province of Alberta. This is a super premium Vodka which is priced well above anything I have seen to date in the Vodka category (approx $175.00 per bottle in Alberta). A bottle was delivered to me by Thirsty Cellar Imports, who are importing this spirit and I was asked to provide a review on my website.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

” … The first taste was lightly sweet and lightly spicy with a flavour I would describe as soft and clean. Hints of lemon tantalized my mouth, and I seem to taste mild hints of bay leaf and thyme, and perhaps an ever so light impression of ginger. As the vodka warmed, the flavours increased in strength; but they never become more than vague impressions. It is almost as if I feel the flavour rather than taste it… “

Here is a link to my full review:

Please enjoy my review of this new Super Premium Russian Vodka!

Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

The 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:

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

Cheers!

Review: Herencia de Plata (Reposado) Tequila

Herencia de Plata Reposado Tequila is a 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila produced by TEQUILAS DEL SEÑOR, S. A. DE C. V.,  a mid-sized, fourth generation family company located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The company was founded in 1943 and currently produces a number of tequila brands which include, Reserva del Señor, Sombrero, Tekali, Herencia Histórico, and of course Herencia de Plata. The word ‘Herencia’ is apparently related to the english word ‘heritage’, and indeed, the Herencia de Plata has an impressive heritage. The tequila has been served by Mexican President, Vicente Fox to Queen Elizabeth II; it has won awards internationally, and it was originally produced to commemorate wedding of Juan Garcia, the son of the of the company founder, Manuel Garcia.

I originally reviewed the Herencia De Plata Reposado about four years ago, and I decided it was time to revisit this tequila to see how it and my perceptions may have changed.

“…The tequila is rather clean and crisp. The typical flavours one expects in tequila, the somewhat earthy agave flavour, the orange and lime citrus, and the thrust of white pepper are all wonderfully mixed in a crisp, sharp, but very pleasing combination…”

Here is the full review:

Tequila Review: Herencia de Plata (Reposado)

Please enjoy the review and my suggested cocktail, The Lonely Silver Rain!

Cheers!

Review: Adelphi Blended Scotch Whisky (Private Stock)

Although Adelphi Distillers are primarily known for their selection of Single Cask Malt Whiskies, I have discovered that they also produce a fine blended whisky they call the Adelphi Private Stock. It is bottled at 40 % and is a blend of 4 grains combined with a high proportion of aged Single Malts from the west coast and the Speyside regions of Scotland. The whisky was originally known as “Granny’s Blend” because it was created for the grandmother of Adelphi’s previous owner, Jamie Walker.

The whisky was blended from a large selection of ‘blind’ samples with the final recipe being a closely guarded secret. Interestingly, the final blend is matured in a solera-style vat. Each time a quantity is drawn off for bottling, the vat is topped up with exactly the same blend of whiskies. This practice allows Adelphi to maintain a consistent flavour for each small batch bottling (each batch contains no more than 12,000 bottles).

I was given a bottle of this whisky by Thirsty Cellar Imports who are the importer of Adelphi Whisky here in Alberta. You may click on the following excerpt to read the full review:

“… The nose was rather interesting with wood spices, some honey and butterscotch, perhaps a touch of heather and little dollop of boggy peat.

As I let the glass breathe I noticed some almond and vanilla, and a hint of canned fruit (peaches and pears). The spiciness reminds me of Speyside, and the boggy peat aroma reminds me of Islay (but much gentler than Islay can be) …”

Please enjoy my review!