Mention Canadian whiskey to someone (say it without the “e,” like Scotch whiskey), and one brand likely comes to mind: Crown Royal. There's a good reason for that. It outperforms other competing Canadian whiskey brands and has done so for years.
But many people who drink Crown Royal may not know what's actually in a bottle of Fine De Luxe Blended Canadian Whisky, which is the basic term inside an instantly recognizable purple bag. Often referred to simply as Crown Royal or De Luxe, the flagship bottle is a blended whisky, a blend of three different mashes aged in different types of casks for different lengths of time, and each bottle can contain over 50 different ingredients. .
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This meticulous blending process makes it drinkable, approachable and what I would say is a 'smooth' whiskey that leans towards the sweeter side with just a hint of baking spice on the palate. This, along with the fact that it can be purchased for around $30 per bottle, helps explain the brand's popularity.
There are many other expressions in Crown Royal's portfolio, and some of them are much older, more interesting and frankly better versions of De Luxe, or completely different whiskies. But if you're looking for a fine sip that can go with almost any whiskey cocktail, Crown Royal Fine De Luxe Blended Canadian Whiskey is something to consider.
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For other specialty bottles, check out Maker's Mark 46, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and Wild Turkey 101 reviews.
Related: 2024's Best Canadian Whiskeys to Drink, Collect and Gift
A royal crown at a glance
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- Bottom line: Crown Royal Fine De Luxe Canadian Whiskey is an affordable and approachable bottle that is widely available and appealing to newcomers to the category.
- Type: Canadian whiskey
- Barrels: New oak, ex-bourbon
- Still: Column and kettle stills
- ABV: 40 percent (80 proof)
- Circle: There is no age limit
- Appearance: Light copper color
- Nose: Vanilla, apple, brown sugar
- Mouthfeel: Light and thin
- Taste: Caramel, vanilla, red berries, brown sugar, honey
- Completion: It fades quickly, with notes of molasses and pudding
Crown Royal Pros and Cons
| Professionals | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
Approachable low ABV |
A thin mouthfeel and weaker grip are less complicated |
|
Accessible and attractive palate |
Seasoned whiskey fans may not like the taste |
|
Works well in cocktails |
Abundant sweetness on the palate |
Crown Royal Review
My first real experience with Crown Royal was, fittingly, a trip to Canada. About 15 years ago, I headed to Vancouver Island to hike the West Coast Trail, a 75 km hike along the coast that includes a series of intimidating ladders and augers to climb over rocks and ford rivers.
When the tour was over we camped out in the small surf town of Tofino and a buddy and I decided to let loose over a bottle of Crown Royal. We discovered that the rumors were true – it was an enjoyable, if unchallenging sip, a “crushable beer” version of whiskey. We made the entire bottle over the course of a few nights.
I reached out to a Canadian whiskey expert and the author Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable ExpertDavin de Kergommeaux to learn more about Crown Royal.
“[It] the most successful Canadian whiskey ever,” he told me. “It sells more every year than the next six Canadian whiskeys combined. It is also the most successful in maintaining a consistent flavor. Among the brands offering a variety of bottlings, Crown Royal De Luxe is the tastiest entry-level whiskey that easily competes with mid-range bottlings from other brands.”
How to drink Crown Royal
As with all whiskies, there is no right or wrong way to drink Crown Royal, and you should enjoy whatever you choose. But I suggest you try a skill casting first to get to know your character. There is no reason to be afraid of an unadulterated sip. Add some ice if you wish, although at 80 proof there is a risk that the whiskey will become thin and too diluted if left too long.
Crown Royal also works well in a wide variety of cocktails. According to Stephen Wilson, Director of Whiskeys at Crown Royal, accessibility and versatility are the defining factors that make De Luxe a great choice for mixing.
“Whether it's fine, on the rocks or in your favorite whiskey cocktail, there's a Crown Royal whiskey for every taste and occasion,” he says. “Crown Royal Fine De Luxe can be used in trendy cocktails like an espresso martini or in classic whiskey cocktails like a sour and whiskey old fashioned.”
The story of the Crown Royal
There's a good reason this whiskey is called Crown Royal. It was created in 1939 by Samuel Bronfman, head of the Seagram spirits conglomerate VI. As a tribute to King George and Queen Elizabeth. They were the first monarchs to visit Canada, which had become part of the British Commonwealth a few years earlier.
The whiskey was only available in Canada for decades before finally reaching the United States in the 1960s and slowly but surely becoming a bestseller.
Diageo bought Crown Royal in 2000 and is now building a new carbon-neutral distillery to support the brand in Ontario. There are many other expressions to try on offer, including Cognac-finished XO and fan favorite Northern Harvest Rye, which took the whiskey world by storm when it was released almost a decade ago.
“We pride ourselves on developing new offerings that maintain the premium quality we are known for without compromising the quality of the whiskey,” says Wilson. “With the ever-changing tastes of North American consumers, we are always excited to develop new and exciting flavors.”
How Crown Royal is made
Crown Royal De Luxe is a blend of more than 50 different whiskeys, which makes it stand out in its category. The whiskey is produced in a huge distillery on the shores of Lake Winnipeg in Gimli, Manitoba (there is another Crown Royal distillery in Quebec) and around 1.5 million barrels are aged in surrounding warehouses.
The majority of the grains (corn, rye and barley) are grown in Manitoba or nearby provinces, and three different mashes are combined and distilled in multiple stills to produce five whiskies. The newly produced spirit is aged in new and used oak barrels before blending.
“When individual whiskeys reach their peak of perfection, however long it takes, Crown Royal blenders carefully select the perfect combination to create depth and balance, while ensuring each blend remains consistent and meets the Crown Royal standard,” he says. Wilson.
“Authentic whiskey flavor is paramount in Crown Royal's whiskies, so they don't compromise on aging and use a large number of ingredient whiskies,” adds de Kergommeaux. “As the flavors change from year to year, they adjust them to maintain the complexity of the flavor. They are the clear leaders in blending for consistency.”
If you like Crown Royal, you'll also like…
Alberta Premium
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If you're looking for a solid Canadian whiskey that's not a blend, try Alberta Premium, an affordable and tasty bottle. It is a 100 percent rye whiskey that is aged for at least five years. It has notes of black pepper, honey, vanilla and dried fruit, but it's unlike any American rye whiskey you've tried. It's a great option to use in Manhattan and is easy to find in liquor stores across the country.
Canadian Club 12
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Canadian Club 12 is a blended whiskey that is aged much longer than the industry standard (Canadian whiskey is aged for at least three years). This gives the soft, slightly dusty character, which does not mask the notes of milk chocolate, molasses, ripe cherries and vanilla pudding. Sip this whiskey neat, or perhaps over a large ice cube, and see how it compares to a younger blend.
Pendleton Midnight
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Pendleton is a Canadian whiskey, but every bottle is protected with glacial water from Mt. Hood, Oregon. The brand's Midnight expression received a special barrel finish – part of the blend is aged for more than six years in American brandy barrels. This adds a fruity, spicy layer to the whiskey that overlays notes of oak, banana, spiced nuts and espresso.
Why You Should Trust Me
I have been writing about spirits for nearly a decade in many publications. During that time, I've tasted thousands of bottles in every category of spirits, visited distilleries around the world to see how juice is made, and refined my palate and nose. I also judge two spirits competitions, the John Barleycorn Awards and the World Wine & Spirits Competition in New York, where I blind taste hundreds of spirits to determine what best suits the taste, mouthfeel, based on color and aroma.
For this review, I tasted Crown Royal fine, on ice and in cocktails, and spoke with a Canadian whiskey expert to provide some insight and context about the brand.
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