I know that my blog is focused on scotch reviews, but I am making an exception to review this great Canadian whisky.
Introducing a Fine Canadian Whisky
Crown Royal is enormously popular in the US, as well as elsewhere in the world. The reason for the popularity comes as no surprise to those who are familiar with this spirit. Crown Royal is pleasant, easy-drinking, refined yet versatile. It is versatile in the sense that there are a number of ways to enjoy it. Neat, on the rocks, mixed with ginger ale, coke, or as an ingredient in mixed drinks.
Crown Royal is comprised exclusively of Canadian whiskies. Distillation of the whiskies comprising Crown Royal is carried out at an enormous group of buildings in Gimli, Manitoba. This whisky achieves its' unique and complex flavor by way of the distillation of several different grains, namely: barley, corn, rye and wheat. These grains are then aged in both new oak casks and also used ones that previously housed wine. The combination of varying ages and storage casks produce the whisky, which of course is blended. In this standard Crown Royal bottling, the majority of composite whiskies are young, though there are a few older ones added. Of course, as you progress into the more expensive product offerings like the Limited Edition, Special Reserve and Crown Royal XR, the whiskies used are more aged imparting terrific complexity.
Crown Royal is comprised exclusively of Canadian whiskies. Distillation of the whiskies comprising Crown Royal is carried out at an enormous group of buildings in Gimli, Manitoba. This whisky achieves its' unique and complex flavor by way of the distillation of several different grains, namely: barley, corn, rye and wheat. These grains are then aged in both new oak casks and also used ones that previously housed wine. The combination of varying ages and storage casks produce the whisky, which of course is blended. In this standard Crown Royal bottling, the majority of composite whiskies are young, though there are a few older ones added. Of course, as you progress into the more expensive product offerings like the Limited Edition, Special Reserve and Crown Royal XR, the whiskies used are more aged imparting terrific complexity.
Serving Suggestion
I enjoy Crown Royal in a crystal tumbler neat but also from time to time with two ice cubes.
Nose
Faint notes of vanilla and fresh out-of-the-oven lemon bread. No scent of alcohol here, which is nice.
Palate
A sip of this will introduce the taster to gentle vanilla and honey. "Delicate" in a word is a way of describing how these flavors intermingle. You will also note faint oak in the background, which no doubt was contributed to by the time spent aging in barrels of all the whiskies composing this spirit.
Finish
Light, balanced and almost instantly the flavor is gone, prompting the taster to sip once more (a potentially intoxicating endeavour).
Final Thoughts
This is certainly an enjoyable drinking experience. Crown Royal is more sophisticated and smoother than other Canadian whiskies like Canadian Club or Royal Reserve. While the smooth character of this whisky is pleasing and a source of pleasure, it is also a source of disappointment for the whisky connoisseur seeking a thought provoking flavor profile. The connoisseur who wants to sit with a tumbler of this whisky and plumb the fathoms of its flavor will be disappointed quickly because the flavour while delicate and smooth will quickly bore such an individual who is looking for "complexity" of flavor.
Another source of disappointment for the serious whisky afficianado is the short finish. There is virtually no lingering of flavor. Its gone as quickly as you swallow it. It should be noted there is no "burn" when swallowed. Its that smooth! I like Crown Royal for what it is: an easy drinking whisky to be enjoyed with friends while socializing. When I am in the mood to sit in my lazy boy and treat myself to a complex whisky, I would not choose this whisky, but rather would opt for a single malt Scotch.
Another source of disappointment for the serious whisky afficianado is the short finish. There is virtually no lingering of flavor. Its gone as quickly as you swallow it. It should be noted there is no "burn" when swallowed. Its that smooth! I like Crown Royal for what it is: an easy drinking whisky to be enjoyed with friends while socializing. When I am in the mood to sit in my lazy boy and treat myself to a complex whisky, I would not choose this whisky, but rather would opt for a single malt Scotch.
Cheers!
Jason Debly
P.S. Are you looking for a review of Crown Royal Black? If so, click here.
© Jason Debly, 2009-2013. All rights reserved.
I once tried this whiskey with coke, and found, I believe, a bit of a longer, actual finish. Brought out some more oak too, I'd say.
ReplyDeleteMr. Meng, try it with ginger ale. Another great mixer. I prefer it neat but to each his own. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteRevisited the Crown lately, Jason, and what a surprise...I enjoyed it considerably more than the times I tried in the past. Found it pretty overpriced, and perhaps still do to an extent, but not bad...
ReplyDeleteAdditionaly, you mention Canadian Club. I would certainly agree Crown Royal being superior to that blend. I have heard more than one review in the past, stating CC as being more rough than CR, and I always found that strange: I always find CC boring for being way too light (with a single ice cube, I realised if I didn't know what I was drinking, I wouldn't have guessed any kind of whiskey...something comparable to a very cheap brandy, came to mind) Thoughts? Thanks! Keep up the great reviews.
-Yochanan
Crown and Ginger Ale is my wife's favorite "adult" beverage.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, my wife just bought me a bottle of Crown Royal Special Reserve, and it's really nice! I am currently living in Germany where Canadian whiskey is near impossible to find, and I've heard good things about Crown Royal Black. It appears they've tried their hand at a Bourbon style whiskey......any thoughts?
Sean, I have not heard of Crown Royal Black. They do not sell it here in Atlantic Canada. It is yet another I will have to try. Sounds intriguing though.
ReplyDeleteCrown Royal Black is too strong, in my opinion. I didn't care for it. I struggled with the idea of dumping it down the drain but given the cost of it, I just mixed it with other drinks in a LOW Crown Royal Black to Coke ratio until I finished the bottle. I've been drinking Crown Royal for years and their original blend is PERFECT as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDeleteCrown Royal Black, to my mind, tastes kinda, well hell, a lot like rum! Not a good thing in a whisky profile.
DeleteI agree the classic is very good, and all the brand extensions (except for Cask 16 and XR) are weak imitations or variations on this great Canadian whisky.
Strongly considering a C.R. for my next purchase Jason.
ReplyDeleteGo the standard... or Maple or the Reserve..?
Your thoughts mate ?
AL (from OZ)
Jason... bought the std CR ... Had to keep saying to myself ... it's not scotch, it's Canadian whisky. different nose and taste.. To be honest I couldn't find much of either mate. Even bland comes to mind. Sorry Jason... Hate being a wet blanket. Coke didn't help... just tasted like alcoholic Coke. I'll try it again soon after a breather and see how it goes. I won't give up on it.
ReplyDeleteAL
Canadian whisky is quite different from Scotch whisky as I have probably said way too often. It is generally smoother, more delicate and softer. Scotch is more robust an in turn more complex.
DeleteI think you are a total Scotch nut and compare everything to it. Totally understandable.
Crown Royal is a ln exercise is subtlety. Delicate wheat and hay notes. give it a little more time friend and see if maybe something you had eaten earlier might have roughed up your palate.
Cheers!
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DeleteMakes a lot of sense Jason . As I said, ... I won't give up on it.
ReplyDeleteAL
It's funny... I've given samples to a few friends.... They love it !!! I did try again after a breather and some more came through on the nose and palate... Still a struggle though mate.
ReplyDeleteAL
Thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteFollowing your suggestion I bough the crown royal and I'm satisfied with it, at least as simple whisky for everyday.
It is not complex, but a nice daily dram or night cap. Cheers!
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