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Crown Royal is the most popular Canadian whiskey in the US right now. Crown Royal whisky was created as a present for The Crown.
It was produced in 1939 for the visit of Queen Elizabeth of England and King George VI, but it was not until 1964 that it became widely available.
Since then, the brand has grown into one of Canada’s most recognized whiskies. The world-renowned alcoholic beverage conglomerate Diageo is its current owner.
Crown Royal Deluxe Canadian Whisky
Price and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change.
How is Crown Royal made?
Gimli Distillery is the only place in Canada where you can get this unique flavor of whiskey.
Organic grains, which are only found in certain places, are used to their fullest potential in the distillery, where they are mixed with purified water. Overall, the distillation process benefits from a favorable climate.
When it comes to whiskey, Crown Royal is the culmination of several fantastic and premium brands coming together. To mature whiskeys properly, they must first be distilled and processed in a variety of custom-made receptacles.
All these stages together result in a flawless process. As a result, the traditional Crown Royal is both a high-end cocktail and a golden-yellow whiskey.
As soon as you take a sip, you will notice that it smells like fresh fruits and vanilla and tastes like sugary oak and vanilla.
A Brief History of Crown Royal
So what exactly did happen in 1939 and how did it end up with the birth of Crown Royal? It was King George VI and Queen Elizabeth that made a visit to Canada. This was an extremely big deal as they were the first reigning monarchs to make the trip.
Samuel Bronfman wanted to come up with the perfect gift. He worked tirelessly to come up with the perfect blend of whisky.
But he took it a step further and came up with the iconic bottle and purple and gold bag. To this day Crown Royal is almost known as much for the purple bag as the smooth blended Canadian whisky inside.
For a long while, Crown Royal was only available in Canada. Then in the 1960s, it went worldwide where it made a splash. Crown Royal had extreme success, especially in the United States where it is still the top-selling Canadian whisky brand.
Crown Royal is still produced in Canada under the umbrella of Diageo plc. Diageo is a British beverage company known for brands like Captain Morgan Rum, Ketel One Vodka, and Don Julio Tequila.
So what’s in that fancy bottle and purple bag? It’s blended Canadian whisky. Crown Royal starts with grains almost solely from Canada.
These grains like corn, barley, and rye are combined in five different recipes, heated, fermented, and distilled. Once distilled the liquid is aged in charred oak barrels to develop a distinct character.
Once aged to perfection the whisky is then taken by the master blenders and blended until properly smooth and up to the Crown Royal standards.
The result of all that aging and blending is a golden brown spirit that is approachable and smooth. Crown Royal is the best-selling Canadian whisky in America for a reason.
It’s not the cheapest but it’s not the most expensive. It will do the job straight up or mixed. It’s in that sweet spot for affordability and versatility.
The Secret to Crown Royal’s Smoothness
Whatever variation of Crown Royal you choose, you can expect it to be aged for three years at least, if not much longer. The type of barrel used to age Crown Royal bourbon has a significant effect on the final flavor.
Unlike American whiskies, which must be matured under particular circumstances and in barrels made of specially treated woods, Canadian brands are free to experiment.
Experimentation is a big part of Crown Royal’s culture. Their whiskies are matured in barrels composed of oak, ash, and even formerly used barrels. This method of recycling is environmentally friendly and lends a sense of antiquity to each bottle.
Additionally, the Crown Royal whiskies can now be aged in oak barrels that formerly held wine, sherry, or even Bourbon, giving the finished product a smokey, fruity, or caramel flavor.
Crown Royal Prices, Variations, and Sizes
Crown Royal has always taken the blending process meticulously since its inception in 1939. Even in today’s ever-growing and competitive spirits business, Crown Royal is aware of the need for high-quality products. A whisky of this caliber is likely to be priced in the upper-middle range.
The price of Crown Royal prices are normally as follows:
Crown Royal and Other Canadian Whiskey Brands
Canadian whisky is a popular choice because of its mellow taste and reasonable pricing. As a global brand, Crown Royal clearly has the upper hand.
That said, there are small distilleries that offer similar and other varieties of Canadian Whiskey.
Canadian Mist
Canadian Mist Whisky
Price and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change.
When it comes to flavors, Canadian Mist is the simplest of the bunch, with just one available. Although it is a little too simple for a complex drink, it is an excellent value at around $15 per bottle.
Canadian Club
Canadian Club Whisky
Price and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change.
It is common to hear the name “Canadian Club” when getting Canadian whisky in pubs and bars. Crown Royal has a reputation for being mysterious and flavorful, but this is a much more affordable alternative. The price of a normal bottle of “CC”, as the locals term it, may run as low as $20.
Local distilleries have grown in popularity, and small-batch spirits are becoming increasingly commonplace. Whisky from Canada has not been exempt from this inflow of new products.
Locally sourced bottles can cost anywhere from $25 to $200, depending on the quality of the ingredients and distillation procedure used to make them. Many smaller distilleries can experiment more with smaller batches, which allows them to create unique blends of spirits.
The Best Way to Drink Crown Royal
How to Drink Crown Royal
When drunk neat, whisky offers a classic drinking experience. While Crown Royal is a popular bourbon that can be purchased online, it is also a versatile spirit that can be used in a variety of delectable cocktails.
If you drink this Canadian whisky neat, you will experience a flavor that’s all its own. It’s light, dry, and peppery. An old-fashioned glass with substantial weight is recommended for those seeking a more traditional drinking experience. Make the whiskey more refreshing by adding a few cubes of ice or a few droplets of water to it.
There are a variety of ways to incorporate this drink into a range of recipes, and the outcomes are all delicious. You can use syrups, fruit juices, ginger ale, bitters, peach schnapps, cherry cola, or any other beverage.
Even Red Bull with sliced lemon with a Crown Royal Whiskey makes for a divine drink.
How to Serve Crown Royal
Tall glasses, old-fashioned glasses, double coupes, and highball glasses are all good options for serving Crown Royal Whisky.
You can also have lowball glasses with a slice of lemon or orange on the rim of the glass, or even a cover of orange for decorative purposes. Many of the recipes call for ice, so make sure you have that on hand.
Drinking from an old-fashioned glass can enhance the flavor and scent of the wine by providing a substantial, formal feel and a large aperture. Is there yet another choice? Choose a glass with a narrow rim, such as a snifter or a flute.
You’ll get a stronger sense of the whisky’s potency and headiness thanks to these aromatic condensers.
What do you mix with Crown Royal?
Crown Royal tastes great mixed with cola, soda water, or as the base of a cocktail. Here are some outstanding Crown Royal cocktails:
Classic Whisky Ranch Water
- 1.5 oz Crown Royal Deluxe
- .5 oz Lemon Juice
- 3-4 oz of Soda or Sparkling Water (to fill)
Combine ingredients over ice and serve.
Grapefruit Old Fashioned
- 2 oz Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky
- 4 oz Grapefruit Juice
- 2 tbsp Simple Syrup
- 2 dashes Bitters
- Sparkling Water
- 1 Spring of Thyme (for Garnish)
Combine liquid ingredients in an ice-filled glass. Stir and garnish with thyme.
Black Whisky Sour
- 1.5 oz Crown Royal Black
- .5 oz Lemon Juice
- .75 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 Egg White
- 1 Lemon (for Garnish)
Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a rock glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and serve.
Interesting Facts & Myths
Something that really sets Crown Royal apart from other liquor brands is that purple velvet bag with gold drawstrings.
Since the beginning, they’ve also added other colors of bags for the other varieties of blended Canadian whisky. That being said, the purple bag still reigns supreme.
The purple bag has also inspired a charitable organization. The Purple Bag Project is part of the Packages From Home.
This charity is all about sending care packages to the active military around the world. Guess what they use? The purple Crown Royal bag.
Bottoms Up!
As one of Canada’s most famous whiskeys, Crown Royal has a long and rich history. For its trademark smoothness, it relies on a combination of normal distillation methods and maturing for precisely the proper amount of time.
It has the characteristic whiskey hue, a golden yellow, and a wide range of tastes to captivate your taste buds – worth the higher price point.
