Crown Royal Bourbon Mash

It appears non-Americans are prohibited from using the term "Bourbon" on their packaging, irrespective of context. This bottle states "Bourbon Mash" (which is factually correct) and "This is not a Bourbon Whiskey." Nonetheless, it's forbidden. The positive aspect is that to clear out remaining stock of these bottlings (since changed to Blenders' Mash), this one received a significant price reduction—from $35 to $17. This price drop was the primary reason for my purchase. Nose: This smells like a barn. Green and musty. Corn, hay, sawdust, and wood. Perhaps even a hint of manure in the background (I'm serious). Very bitter. Some cocoa and baking spices. Leather and apple. I worked on farms in high school, and while I can appreciate the associated aromas, the nose on this doesn't bring back any pleasant youthful memories. It's primarily sawdust. Not the best. Palate: Unremarkable. Vanilla, caramel, and baking spices. Some of the cocoa from the nose. It's off. It's bitter where it should be sweet. Sawdust and flour. When it's not bitter, it's neutral, and there's nothing exciting about it. Not awful, but certainly nothing special. Finish: Short. Appropriate for an 80 proof. It's immediately bitter oak. It quickly shifts to spicy cinnamon, but disappears rapidly. An unsatisfying but fitting conclusion. You get what you pay for. While not always true, it's a general guideline. And hey, it's a whisky. I can still drink it. That's about the extent of my thoughts on this one. The only positive is the price, and even then, calling it a good value would be a stretch. The lesson here is that the word bourbon is off-limits, no matter how you use it. Yet, their mistake is the only reason I tried this. At $17, why not? I'll generously rate this 2 stars. I don't regret buying it, and that's about the highest compliment I can give it.

I've seen some negative reviews and I'm surprised anyone would rate this less than 4 stars. I'm relatively new to appreciating the full complexity of spirits, though I've sampled various whiskeys over the years. This tastes incredible. Truly, it's among the finest whiskeys I've ever experienced. While I usually prefer the smokier character of scotch, this is undoubtedly the most effortless liquor to drink I've encountered. Upon opening the bottle, you might detect a powerful blend of flavors that are difficult to distinguish. It does not smell like manure, as some have claimed. If you perceive manure, you likely had an accident yourself. After a few days, revisit the aroma and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the vanilla. People often discuss liquors (especially whiskey) like they do cigars, talking about tasting obscure notes. I've tried my share of both and can assure anyone new to alcohol that it's mostly nonsense. I can detect vanilla and caramel notes from the oak barrels, but absolutely no manure, cinnamon, or other nonexistent flavors. It's smooth and doesn't taste like acetone or unpleasant alcohol. I recommend trying it on the rocks; mixing is unnecessary. It's the closest I've ever come to a root beer aroma/flavor, and I love root beer.

I obtained a bottle of this for $30 while looking for budget bourbons a couple of weeks ago. This is the most recent Crown Royal release designed to resemble American bourbon's mash bill. It has generated some controversy in Canada due to its name, and I've even heard it's being removed from shelves there. Let the disapproval of America persist, I suppose... Anyway, this one is at the industry standard of 40% alcohol by volume, has a copper and gold appearance in the glass, and produces numerous very thin legs when swirled. The aroma has a touch of pepper, less vanilla than anticipated, and the faintest hint of fresh barrel. It smells more like bourbon and less like the typical Crown, which is a positive. The palate consists entirely of sweet corn and oak, but it is extremely diluted. That's where this one becomes a gimmick in my opinion. Rather than concentrating on enhancing depth and flavor, they evidently chose to dilute the liquid and make it even thinner than it should be. The finish is medium in length and primarily consists of oak and tannins. Nothing remains here. Overall, it mixed exceptionally well with Coca Cola, which was the main reason I bought a bottle. At $30, it's not terrible, but I don't think I would purchase it again. I suppose the Canadians should be buying it up since it will soon be a prohibited bottle. That's as good a justification as any not to drink it, haha. 2.25-2.5 stars. Cheers.

I visited the liquor store intending to purchase an affordable bottle of scotch. After about fifteen minutes of browsing the options, I decided against buying any and opted for a bottle of Crown Royal for my wife. It was then that the Crown Royal Bourbon Mash caught my attention. I had no idea it existed, so it was quite a pleasant surprise. It possesses a lovely copper and gold hue in the glass, resembling Maker's Mark more than the standard Crown Royal. The aroma has a pleasant bourbon scent with prominent notes of corn and cracked pepper, complemented by subtle hints of vanilla, woody oak, and a touch of dried fruit. The taste is certainly not as smooth as some bourbons, with corn and pepper being the dominant flavors. The finish is what I can only describe as a brief waft of vanilla that is quickly overtaken by oak, before both fade rather rapidly, leaving little else to linger or be savored. Considering the price, it's an acceptable whiskey, but not one I'd likely purchase again. My final assessment: If you're new to bourbons, this is a good starting point, as things will likely improve from here. Cheers.

COLOR/ Dark Honey, Maple Syrup AROMA/ Sweetness, Sweet Corn, Slight Spice, Slight Solvents (Vanilla?) FIRST SIP/ Smooth, Light, Sweet, Candy, Tartness TASTE/ Sweetness, Slightly Spicy, Vanilla, Butter Scotch Candy, Butter, Oils, Tart FINISH/ Smooth, Spice, Warm, Oil MT GLASS/ Sweet, Corn, Alcohol, Oak, 80 proof This is a wonderful beverage for sipping, my companions. It's a sweet drink, so it might be suitable as an after-dinner option. Regardless, this is a pleasant and flavorful blended whiskey! This is from the Crown Blenders' Series; my bottle's number is 0044685... A very enjoyable pour, share it with friends and family. If they prefer it on the rocks, it might bring out more sweetness, vanilla, candy, or nugget-like qualities? Please keep in mind I had about 8-10 drams and then I let the bottle sit for about 12 months... Then I did my tasting with my lovely wife! November 2018 Keep it Real, be Responsible, be Kind, be Generous! CH33RS!

Typically, when I review a spirit, I need to experience it on a few occasions to fully grasp and summarize my impressions. Trying a bourbon mash for the first time provides a fresh sensation to the palate, distinguishing itself from other top-shelf options. I genuinely enjoyed my initial experience with this spirit based on its flavor and overall impression. However, upon revisiting it another evening, my experience wasn't the same, though it was still good. Something felt off-putting about this dram. What particularly stood out was the aroma. Strangely, it had a faint scent reminiscent of Iced Tea. The taste was fine, but the nose wasn't quite right. I've had less enjoyable drams, and I'm not saying this is bad, but there are superior options available for just $10 more. If you're a fan of this brand, give it a try, but if you explore various whiskeys, you might want to consider other choices.