Crown Royal Black

The initial aroma is subtle, sweet, and floral, with a significant amount of char that needs time to open up. Notes of vanilla candy, caramel syrup, ripe plums, apple blossoms, Rainier cherries, toasted wood, dried figs, and a subtle yet sharp rye suggesting a bourbon character emerge. The palate is caramel sweet and quite spicy, with abundant vanilla and candied dark fruits, quickly followed by heat from cayenne, ginger, and cinnamon, along with some green notes like rye and dried dill. Bitterness then becomes prominent, similar to Tung oil finished wood. It's somewhat unbalanced, to be honest. The body is initially thin, then slightly thickens (though not as much as the original Crown Royal) as it rests on the tongue. There are no legs, and the streaks that coat the glass after swirling descend rapidly, leaving a few dots. The finish is mild and moderately long, featuring a good amount of lingering dark honey sweetness, a hint of mint gum, green wood, plus a touch of cocoa and raisin. Intended to be an improvement over classic Crown, but I personally believe it sacrifices what Crown excels at to be slightly spicier and darker, yet without the balanced sophistication of its predecessor. Nose: 8 Taste: 7 Body: 7 Finish: 8

Alright, I am NOT a fan of Canadian whiskey. I find them too weak and lacking flavor... some call it "brown vodka." I thought perhaps I hadn't found the right one. This CRB seems to get decent reviews, and a friend shared some, so I obtained a 100ml sample for evaluation. Poured neat, the color looks adequate. The nose is... uh oh, where's the nose... damn Canadians. I detect some faint spice, a hint of candied corn or maple, maybe some distant wood. It sort of smells like ginger ale soaked into a cardboard box. The palate, however, is somewhat redeeming. It delivers good flavors of sweet ginger, maple syrup, and light toasted oak. It's easy and smooth without the grain-alcohol notes found in many I've tried. The finish is flat cola and bitter wood with a trailing spice. Overall, it's a welcoming, mild spirit more suited for whiskey beginners and mixing. Would I buy a bottle myself?......Absolutely not, but I can see the appeal of Crown with its image and fancy purple bag and all. I will say it's the best Canadian spirit I've had... scored 62/100... unfortunately, that's not high praise. I don't think it tastes like JD; I'd take #7 any day over this Crown.

This was an unintentional purchase. I would not have bought this had I known it was 90 proof. At the time I acquired my initial bottle of Crown Royal Black, all other spirits in my collection were no higher than 87 proof. After noticing it was 90 proof, I relegated this to the cabinet above my refrigerator, the most difficult one to access in my home. However, one evening a few months back, I surveyed the contents of my liquor cabinet and felt like trying something different. So, I used a chair to reach my most remote cabinet, took down the Crown Royal Black, and poured myself a measure. I was thoroughly impressed. It was far more mellow than I had anticipated. On the palate, I detect maple syrup with a hint of wood. It's a bit thin, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Before opening my first bottle of this, my preference was primarily for Scotch. I hadn't consumed Canadian whisky or bourbon in years. Now I am broadening my horizons again and also beginning to explore higher proof whisk(e)y options. Furthermore, I'm spending less now that I'm not exclusively seeking out single malt Scotches.

This spirit feels familiar, yet it is indeed darker, slower, and warmer as its name suggests. The aroma is much less vibrant than the deluxe or northern rye versions, offering notes of corn, vanilla, and oak, more akin to bourbon than Canadian whisky. The palate begins with some initial sweetness, which quickly gives way to dark toffee and corn flavors. In this variation, you can sense its intention to differ from its counterparts; it aims to mingle with American spirits. The finish is where the name validates itself – the charred barrels used for aging make their presence known with oak tannins and a touch of peppery spice from the palate. Overall, this is not an exceptionally complex spirit, nor is it one likely to inspire a lengthy review. However, if you appreciate Crown and prefer a less sweet option, this is the Crown for you.

Intriguing, slightly distinct from other Canadian whiskies I've tried. Bottled at 45% ABV, it has a striking dark, almost "brown sherry" hue. The nose isn't very strong and is somewhat difficult to discern. Notes of brown sugar, maple syrup (a common Canadian whisky trait, ha!), and a citrus hint, like lemon or prune zest are present. The palate starts with a brief caramel note, then a burst of spice. Abundant spices, with a warm woody flavor and some orange notes. Quite spicy. Medium-bodied, but it fills your mouth with flavor. However, it's not entirely pleasant. The finish is medium, with a similar profile. A bit sharp, I liked the color, and I'm not a fan of the overall profile, but I must admit it's not a bad dram at all. Scored 68 out of 100.

Crown Royal Black, 45% ABV, minimum 3 years old, likely made/bottled in Canada and imported to Norwalk, Connecticut (Diageo). Aged in heavily charred oak barrels. Aroma: very light, fruity, minor oak, somewhat bourbon-like. Taste: minor spice, strong charred note on the finish, minor lingering char. Light to medium sweetness initially. Minor bourbon notes that mellow over time. Very smooth, light to medium body. Overall, it's a decent/good whisky, but I anticipated more flavor and a bolder profile. Cost: $26.95 plus tax for 750 ml. Grade: B-.