Crown Royal 75th Anniversary Blend Monarch

This was a limited release from Crown Royal commemorating their 75th anniversary and a visit from British royalty. It was exclusively sold in the US, which strikes me as odd, as I would have expected it to be available in Canada too. The drink itself isn't terrible, but it doesn't quite measure up to their Hand Selection (which is good) or Noble Collection (which is better). This seemed like a diluted version of their Noble Collection, offering less flavor, less impact, and less of everything except the cost. Save your money and opt for one of the others.

I consider this a very smooth American rye, even though it comes from a truly classic Canadian producer. It's clean and rich with a subtle sweetness and a hint of light fruit. What stands out is the slightly rough rye spice, giving this whiskey real character. It's 'leather smooth,' not 'silky smooth.' An enjoyable drink served neat, especially as a break from bourbon. It can be found for around $35 where I am, and it's well worth that price. Your cost might differ; the original suggested price was much higher.

This is characteristic of the standard sweet Crown, though it was a bit disappointing. I really enjoy the Crown Reserve served with a little ice, and the 75th doesn't quite measure up. It's smooth but lacks the peppery flavor I expected from the added rye. For the price, I'll stick with the reserve. The 75 does come with a cool silver bag, though!

Strong fruit and pleasant spice, both in aroma and taste. It has the typical Crown Royal smoothness, but the flavor is bold. A good sweetness level, an acidic tang that complements the fruit well, and a slight smokiness that completes the profile. A decent warmth as it goes down. This is an excellent pour. 5/27/17

This is the most mellow 80 proof I have ever consumed. I detect butterscotch on my palate. It leans sweeter than smoky or spicy. The taste is reminiscent of a Canadian blend with a hint of scotch, and while I'm not a huge scotch enthusiast, I find this whiskey to be quite good.

While Crown Royal is my usual choice for blended whiskies, this particular one is rather disappointing. It's not unpleasant, but it didn't impress me as much as I had hoped. I'm giving it 3 stars because there are many more flavorful options available for the same price. Consider the reserve, XO, or XR instead.