Rolf Devinci

Decided to make a foray into the spiced rum category with my latest bottled adventure by purchasing a 750ml bottle of Lemon Hart Navy rum. "Rich, full-bodied, velvety smooth taste built on a firm Demerara dark rum foundation. Complex flavours of sweet dried fruits and island spices releasing a profile of freshly ground nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, butterscotch and ginger all resting on a warm vanilla swirl." How could one resist such a description? The added bonus was it was on sale this week at $26.99 (CDN) at the NSLC and Arctic Wolf had reviewed it quite highly with a sipping potential. http://therumhowlerblog.com/rum-reviews/flavoured-spiced-rums/lemon-hart-navy-spiced-rum/ Upon opening and in the glass the rum was a brilliant copper hue possessing a very enticing scent of baking spices and toffee with an underlying sweetness promising a dessert like quality. A rum candy apple on a stick kind of appeal.

Picked up this Jamaican offering at the local NSLC primarily due to the sale price of $29.99(CDN), a full four dollars less than it`s usual listing price. In my pursuit of affordable sipping rums I had read some reviews on the Reserve blend so figured it was worthy of a buy despite it being aged in Jack Daniels barrels which would most likely impart a whiskey like finish. Not my favorite result. I will agree that it does possess a silky mouth feel with hints of citrus, some oak and lots of spice. I find it has a rather smoky finish with a lingering burn that does not suit my personal taste but its far from being unpalatable. It seems this complex blend of twenty rums was designed as a gateway spirit that good as a mixer but can also be enjoyed neat as a sipper. Over ice helps smooth out the spiciness and finish while bringing out some hints of caramel sweetness but, in my opinion, its best enjo...

Nova Scotia has a long history of trade with the Caribbean and that included rum. There are some local Maritime rum producers hereabouts so I picked up a bottle of Fortress rum from Authentic Seacoast Company based in Guysborough. "Fortress™ Rum restores the 300-year history of the New France rum trade and is created by patiently maturing our select Caribbean rum in oak barrels protected behind the massive stonewalls of the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. " http://www.fortressrum.com/ If you are not familiar with the Fortress of Louisbourg it was a large French garrison on the east coast of Cape Breton that protected the approaches to the St. Lawrence river and the French colony of Quebec. Now a national historic site it is a step back into time. http://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/fortress-of-louisbourg-national-historic-site/1583 Give credit where credit is due. The marketing concept of Fortress rum is really wel...

It occurred to me tonight on my way to Thursday night ball hockey that, upon reflection, the game has been my life's true sporting passion. Playing my second game in three days as a runner I could not help but be appreciative. Having begrudgingly accepted my running days were probably over after I developed a periformis injury during a game last Fall I have managed to rehab it enough that I'm back playing out. Rejoining the gym, losing twenty pounds and continuing with my maintenance chiropractic all have contributed to my resurrection. Having resigned myself to only playing goal I now feel confident that my "retirement" from playing out is premature. I'm back! I love this game. I've played it as a kid on the neighborhood streets. I had played it as an intermural sport in school and college. I've played it my entire adult life either in competitive leagues (BBHL, ECBHL, MBHL) or weekly fun competitive pickup games in rink...

A neat bottle that holds a very nice rum the Plantation 5 year is a product of Barbados but casked in France...... "Aged five years in bourbon casks....the rum was transported from Barbados to France by Cognac Ferrand to be placed in used Cognac casks to enhance the rum..." Listed locally at $31.99 (CDN) this spirit is an affordable sipper presented in a traditional netted bottle which has a cork stopper that has a resounding "pop" upon opening. It promises rum delights by provoking a typical Pavlovian response. A lovely gold color neat in the glass the initial nose of the rum offers hints of vanilla and baked spices. First mouth impressions was a sweetness followed by a pleasant heat and a smooth finish. I really like this rum neat but had to try it over ice as that is how I usually prefer my spirits. Over ice the nose seems sweeter with hints of honey and caramel. As the cubes melt the water takes the edge off the heat and accentuates the smoot...

Picked up one of my favorite chai`s this week from David`s tea. The Coco Chai Rooibos has a mellow sweet nose and produces a smooth easy drinking chai. A caffeine free brew it is..... "an incredible chai made of rooibos, coconut, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom and red peppercorns." Despite the presence of ginger, cardamom, cloves and peppercorns the cinnamon balances the "heat" while the coconut adds some sweetness to the tea. I consider the Coco Chai Rooibos a "dessert" tea best enjoyed neat throughout the day when you want something light, caffeine free yet able to satisfy the cravings of a sweet tooth.  I suspect a dash of honey would compliment this brew but I find it already perfect for my tastes with a good balance of spice and flavor. Unlike traditional chai based upon black tea this blend uses the South African rooibos plant that produces a less astringent golden beverage in the mug. It pr...

Took the snowshoes out on a cold but sunny February winter day. Headed out to the local woods for some bushwhacking mostly for the shelter from the prevailing windchill but also for the chance for solitude. There are some popular trails around but I enjoy alone time under the canopy of trees. The tradeoff was bushwhacking through the undulating terrain of alders, deadfall and shrubbery. Annoying at the best of time it is a little easier during winter as the underbrush is not as dense but still snags at your shoes and kit. Heading eastwards I was generally gaining elevation passing through dense bush into groves of hard and softwoods.Found a real nice spot that presents a potential archery range with a natural ground butt perfect for loosing some arrows. Continuing upwards I reached some plateaus and, eventually, the ridge line. With a decent amount of snow cover the effort varied from tough slogging, steep climbing and smooth trekking enroute to the summit. Eve...