Crown Royal Blenders' Mash

Initially, I acquired this bottle as a collector's item. It was originally designated "Bourbon Mash," but due to objections regarding the use of the term 'bourbon' for an imported spirit, the TTB mandated a name correction. As shipping, promotion, and sales had commenced, the TTB permitted Diageo to distribute existing stock, provided the label was altered. Thus, it became "Blenders Mash," and that's the version I purchased. A major retailer offered it for $19.99, so I decided to buy it, keep it behind the bar, and share the story with guests. (Though, realistically, only whiskey enthusiasts would likely care). As reviews started appearing, they were not favorable... I opened the bottle. The aroma is wonderful, featuring sweet vanilla and caramel, with a subtle hint of cinnamon. Quite pleasant. Unfortunately, that's where the positive experience ends. There's virtually no flavor. It's flat, watery, and possesses an almost green apple tartness. The finish is non-existent. I'm disappointed with this, as I genuinely wanted to appreciate it. Crown Black is significantly superior. I'm hesitant to use this in any cocktail, as any additional ingredient would likely overwhelm it completely. I'm managing to get through the bottle by first recounting the story to friends, which then prompts everyone to want a taste.

I don't get the negative reviews? Yes, it's light. It won't blow you away. But I've definitely had better-rated whiskeys (by a little) that I found more unpleasant or flawed than this. On the nose, there are subtle notes of saltwater taffy and oak, a hint of caramel, and a faint whiff of nail polish remover, fresh cereal, and a touch of butterscotch or brown sugar. The flavor is light and refreshing. It reminds me of a less sweet version of Malahat black tea rum. The flavor is more brown sugar than caramel, with a touch of new oak, applewood, black tea, fruit, and salt – somewhat like scotch. Very smooth. The finish is somewhat long but lacks complexity. I might be a bit biased because I got a 375 ml bottle on sale for $8. But I think the criticism is unwarranted. I suspect if you tasted this blind, you'd find it to be a light, uncomplex, but otherwise enjoyable whiskey that would be hard to categorize as a bourbon, Canadian, or scotch, but somewhere in between all three.

This is acceptable for an occasional change of pace, but it's not a go-to bottle for me. The aroma and taste are dominated by charred oak, with a slight rye presence. It becomes a bit sweet near the end, leading to a brief, light finish. Update June 2019: I revisited this after some time and my appreciation for bourbons has grown. It's significantly improved this time around; I now perceive it as a bourbon, not a blended Canadian. It was not a waste of money and is actually quite good for a bourbon. The harshness I noted previously is gone. I'm unsure if it mellowed in the cabinet, but I'm pleased with the change.

Spicy nose with lots of pepper, rye, anise, and peppermint. Vanilla and caramel are present but not very strong. When you taste it, the peppery notes soften with vanilla, caramel, honey, and burnt sugar becoming more prominent. A charred wood note also appears. The flavors don't last long, fading quickly due to the low proof. This flavor profile would have more impact if the proof was higher. Overall, a good effort from Crown Royal. Nose 3.25/5; Taste 3/5; Overall 3.25/5. It's a shame this product is no longer available. Would buy again, but the product has been discontinued.

Crown Royal Blenders Mash (formerly known as Bourbon Mash) 40% ABV, minimum age: 3 years, mash bill: 64% corn, 32% rye, 4% malted barley May be bottled in Canada and then imported to Connecticut. Aroma: Fruity, with sour apples and bourbon characteristics. Taste: Bourbon-like, with light to medium sweetness, fruity notes, and charred oak towards the end. It mellows over time, losing some of the sweeter/fruitier notes and allowing the charred oak to become more prominent. A decent whisky overall, not exceptional, but nothing to criticize either. Better than many Canadian whiskies available in the US market. Price: $23.99 plus tax for a 750 ml bottle Grade: B-

Crown Royal Blenders Mash (Bourbon Mash) has a clear, chestnut brown appearance and widely spaced alcohol legs. The aroma is of a rather strong sourdough bagel, with some oak and a hint of rye spice. The flavor is standard and unremarkable, similar to Canadian Leaf (bottled in Baltimore County, MD), with corn spirits, a touch of rye spice (Canadian Leaf might actually have a more pronounced rye profile), and a subtle hint of oak. The mouthfeel is medium, and Crown Royal Blenders (Bourbon) Mash has a moderate finish. RJT