Mention Canadian whisky (spell it without the “e” like Scotch whisky) to anyone and one brand likely comes to mind: Crown Royal. And for good reason. It outsells other competing Canadian whisky brands and has done so for years.
But many Crown Royal drinkers may not know what’s actually inside a bottle of Fine De Luxe Blended Canadian Whisky, the base expression that comes in an instantly recognizable purple bag. The flagship bottle, often referred to simply as Crown Royal or De Luxe, is a blended whiskey that’s a combination of three different mash bills aged in different types of barrels for varying lengths of time, and each bottle can contain upwards of 50 different ingredients.
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This meticulous blending process results in a drinkable, approachable, and dare I say “smooth” whiskey that veers toward the sweeter side with just a hint of baking spice on the palate. This, along with the fact that it’s an affordable purchase at around $30 per bottle, helps explain the brand’s popularity.
There are many other expressions in the Crown Royal portfolio, and some of them are much older, more interesting, and frankly better versions of the De Luxe, or simply different whiskeys altogether. But if you’re looking for a fine sipper that can be used in just about any whiskey cocktail you can think of, the Crown Royal Fine De Luxe Blended Canadian Whisky is worth considering.
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If you want to learn about other specialty bottles, check out our reviews of Maker's Mark 46, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and Wild Turkey 101.
Related: The Best Canadian Whiskies of 2024 You Can Drink, Collect, and Gift
Crown Royal Overview
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- Conclusion: Crown Royal Fine De Luxe Canadian Whisky is an affordable and approachable bottle that is sure to appeal to newcomers to the category.
- Medicine: Canadian Whiskey
- Barrels: New oak, old bourbon
- Still: Column and cauldron retorts
- Alcohol percentage: 40 percent (80 proof)
- Age: No age statement
- Appearance: Light copper color
- Nose: Vanilla, apple, brown sugar
- Mouthfeel: Light and thin
- Taste: Caramel, vanilla, red fruits, brown sugar, honey
- End: Fast disappearing, with notes of molasses and custard
Pros and Cons of Crown Royal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Approachable low ABV |
Thinner mouthfeel and lower alcohol content means less complexity |
|
Accessible and appealing to the palate |
Flavor may not appeal to seasoned whiskey fans |
|
Gives good results in cocktails |
Plenty of sweetness on the palate |
Crown Royal Review
My first real experience with Crown Royal was, appropriately enough, on a trip to Canada. About 15 years ago, I headed to Vancouver Island to walk the West Coast Trail, a 75km hike along the coast that involves, among other things, a series of daunting ladders and pulleys to climb cliffs and cross rivers.
When the hike was over, we headed to the small surf town of Tofino, where a friend and I decided to kick back with a bottle of Crown Royal. We discovered that the rumors were true; it was a tempting if not overwhelming sip, the “crushable beer” version of whiskey. We finished the entire bottle in a few nights.
I turned to Canadian whisky expert and author Canadian Whiskey: The Essential Portable ExpertContact Davin de Kergommeaux to learn more about Crown Royal.
“[It] “It’s the most successful Canadian whisky ever,” he told me. “It sells more than the next six Canadian whiskies combined, year after year. It’s also the most consistent in its taste. Of the brands that have a range of bottlings, Crown Royal De Luxe is also the most flavorful entry-level whisky, easily competing with mid-level bottlings from other brands.”
How to Drink Crown Royal
As with any whiskey, there is no right or wrong way to drink Crown Royal and you can drink it however you like. However, I recommend trying a sip neat first to get used to its character. There’s no reason to be afraid of a sip neat. Add some ice if you like, but if you let it sit at 80 proof for too long you run the risk of the whiskey becoming thin and overly diluted.
Crown Royal also works well in a wide variety of cocktails. According to Stephen Wilson, Crown Royal director of whiskey engagement, accessibility and versatility are the deciding factors that make De Luxe a great choice for mixing.
“Whether you enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite whiskey cocktail, there’s a Crown Royal whiskey to suit every palate and occasion,” he says. “Crown Royal Fine De Luxe can be used in trendy cocktails like the espresso martini or in classic whiskey cocktails like the whiskey sour and old fashioned.”
History of Crown Royal
There’s a good reason this whiskey is called Crown Royal. It was created in 1939 by Samuel Bronfman, the chairman of the drinks conglomerate Seagram, as a tribute to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. They were the first monarchs to visit Canada, which had become part of the British Commonwealth a few years earlier.
The whisky was available only in Canada for decades until it reached the US in the 1960s, where it slowly but surely became a bestseller.
Diageo acquired Crown Royal in 2000 and is now building a new carbon-neutral distillery in Ontario to support the brand. There are many other expressions to try in the range, including the Cognac-finished XO and the fan-favorite Northern Harvest Rye, which wowed the whisky world when it was first released nearly a decade ago.
“We pride ourselves on developing new products that maintain the premium quality we are known for without compromising the quality of our whiskeys,” says Wilson. “With the ever-changing tastes of consumers across North America, we are always excited to develop new and exciting flavors.”
How to Make Crown Royal
Crown Royal De Luxe is a blend of over 50 different whiskeys, a fact that makes it stand out in this category. The whisky is produced in a huge distillery on the shores of Lake Winnipeg in Gimli, Manitoba (there is another Crown Royal distillery in Quebec), with around 1.5 million barrels maturing in surrounding warehouses.
The majority of its grains (corn, rye and barley) are grown in Manitoba or nearby provinces and are combined into three different mash bills that are distilled in multiple stills to produce five different styles of whiskey. The brew is then matured in new and used oak barrels before being blended.
“Once individual whiskeys reach the pinnacle of perfection, no matter how long that takes, Crown Royal blenders carefully select the perfect combination to create depth and balance, ensuring each blend remains consistent and meets the Crown Royal standard,” says Wilson.
“True whiskey flavor is at a premium for Crown Royal’s whiskeys, so they don’t compromise on maturation and use multiple component whiskeys,” adds de Kergommeaux. “They adjust these as they change from year to year to maintain the complexity of the flavors. They are the clear leader in blending for consistency.”
If you liked Crown Royal you might also like…
Alberta Premium
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If you’re looking for a solid Canadian whiskey that isn’t a blend, try Alberta Premium, an affordable and delicious bottle. It’s a 100% rye whiskey that’s aged at least five years. The palate has notes of black pepper, honey, vanilla, and dried fruit, but it’s unlike any American rye you’ve tried. It’s a great option for a Manhattan and is readily available at liquor stores nationwide.
Canadian Club 12
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Canadian Club 12 is a blended whisky that has been matured much longer than the industry standard (Canadian whisky must be matured for at least three years). This gives it a soft, slightly powdery character that doesn’t hide the notes of milk chocolate, molasses, ripe cherries, and vanilla custard on the palate. Sip this whisky 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 through and through, but each bottle is fermented with ice water from Mt. Hood in Oregon. The brand’s Midnight expression has a special barrel finish; a portion of the blend is matured in American brandy barrels for more than six years. This gives the whiskey a fruity, spicy layer on the palate that blankets notes of oak, banana, spiced nuts, and espresso.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve been writing about spirits for a variety of publications for nearly a decade. During that time, I’ve tasted thousands of bottles of every spirit category, visited distilleries around the world to see how their juices are made, and developed my palate and nose. I also judge two spirit competitions, the John Barleycorn Awards and the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, where I blind-taste hundreds of spirits to determine the standouts in terms of flavor, mouthfeel, color, and aroma.
For this review, I tried Crown Royal neat, on the rocks, and in cocktails and spoke with a Canadian whisky expert to provide insight and context on the brand.
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