Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel

The initial observation regarding this whisky is that your location influences the specific barrel selection. Each box bears a sticker indicating "Bottled exclusively for __________." Mine was acquired during travel through "The Bull City: Durham NC." Consequently, the tasting notes will vary depending on the region, differing from New York, Idaho, or Texas, and even between cities within North Carolina. While some underlying characteristics may be consistent, each barrel possesses its own distinct profile. This particular bottle is the Durham release, bottled at 51.5% ABV (103 Proof), sampled neat in a small brandy glass. Nose: Potent, with notes of spice (cinnamon and basil), burlap, ethanol, and rye, a subtle malty sweetness in the background, and a hint of citrus. Palate: Oily and bitter, with burlap and leather notes. It's drying, with sweetness developing into honey and burnt sugar. Spice quickly intensifies, featuring rye and cinnamon, and it's very hot. Finish: Notes of charred wood, malt, dark chocolate, black pepper on the cheeks, and leather, with a medium-long finish. I'm curious to know the origin of the bottles reviewed by others. Edit: After several glasses of this whisky, I can understand the "mango" and other fresh fruit notes others have mentioned. The complexity increases with more consumption. This observation won't alter my score but highlights the whisky's impressiveness.

I purchased this bottle on impulse, and I'm extremely pleased I did. Typically, I progress through a brand's offerings, starting with the mid-range and moving up until the price increases no longer justify the quality or flavor improvements. (I also do the reverse, but that's another topic). The only Crown Royal products I had previously tried were the original and Crown Royal Black. Based solely on those, I never would have anticipated this would be as good as it is. Even including the Northern Harvest Rye, which is a respectable dram, I still wouldn't have expected this to be this good. Honestly, I likely wouldn't have bought it, and then I wouldn't have known how good it is, which would have been quite unfortunate. Anyway...the review: It smells like a bakery on a winter morning; French toast, cinnamon rolls, vanilla frosting...if you're sensing sweetness, you're on the right track. The palate continues the overwhelming sweetness, but instead of the bready notes suggested by the aroma, you get warm and rich caramel, butterscotch, and toffee in a very thick, very rich, mouth-coating drink. A hint of baking spices concludes this one, fading to a pleasant sweet alcoholic warmth that lasts a few minutes. Did I mention it's rich? And creamy? And rich? I'm astonished this came from Canada, and even more so that it's Crown Royal. Remarkable. Well done Diageo. Now, don't mess it up.

Chosen for Trevor’s, Scottsdale AZ. You might be thinking: “Canadian Whisky? I can’t believe it!” But I heard this one isn't just light whiskey with added flavorings and coloring, but instead was distilled and aged similarly to bourbon, so I decided to try it. Let's get started! Nose is very subtle with vanilla, caramel, white cake frosting, and the faintest hint of generic woodiness. Palate is a total vanilla BOMB. Deep, rich French vanilla. A little Red Delicious apple, butterscotch, graham cracker, maple, and a hint of tartness (lemon zest?) that is very welcome and helps prevent the overwhelming vanilla from becoming too much. It is very sweet, and calling it complex would be inaccurate. But what's present is quite enjoyable. Finish is brief and clean with white pepper, nutmeg, and oak, but the palate continues, making it more of a continuation of the journey than an abrupt change. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and creamy, which perfectly complements the flavor profile. (Honestly, a grainy texture would have ruined it). My initial serious attempt at Canadian Whisk(e)y, and while I know they aren't all like this, it's a winner so far. At $50, it's a good value in today's market. Uncomplicated, but effective. I would buy it again.

Selected by NC ABC Opened for 8 months Nose: Spicy honey, butterscotch, golden raisins, brandy, hints of chalk and brine, moderate ethanol. Palate: Light honey and vanilla initially, strong mead with a touch of brandy, sweet grain, artificial cherry, honey-roasted peanuts. The finish is moderately long, fading faster than anticipated, revealing dry oak, spiciness, and ethanolic notes with traces of honey. My prior encounters with Crown Royal have been lukewarm at best, but a $50 "single barrel" at 103 proof was too enticing to ignore. Given the typical expense and low proof of Crown Royal products, the pricing on this is perplexing but certainly appreciated. It's surprisingly good, though I've had it for 8 months, so it's not something I regularly choose. It genuinely resembles a Highland malt finished in mead and brandy casks. The closest comparison currently is either a 15% mead mixed with brandy, or the excellent John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend. If that sounds appealing, I recommend trying it; the value is quite good. An additional observation: the presentation and build quality of this bottle are exceptional. I appreciate the robust screw cap; it's definitely a keeper for reuse. Why don't more companies offer sturdy screw caps like this and Japanese whisky bottles?

I've generally overlooked Crown Royal products due to a lack of interest and the perception that most Canadian whiskies are uninspired (like Canadian Club) and best suited for cocktails. However, a sample shared by a friend has pleasantly surprised me, revealing a quality Canadian whisky that I'll consider adding to my collection. The aroma reminds me of a country breakfast: Frosted Flakes, Brioche French Toast dusted with powdered sugar, maple syrup with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. It has a rich body, slightly hot, delivering notes of butterscotch and baking spices. The finish mirrors the arrival, sweet and spicy with a touch of oak. Adding a small amount of water softens the initial heat and enhances the sweetness. The palate, however, is slightly bitter. This dram is perfect for the fall season, as an after-dinner sip to conclude a good Sunday meal. [Dry glass: caramel and marshmallows][91/100][Tasted: 9/25/16]

I used to think Crown Royal was a whisky primarily consumed by college students or older gentlemen who exclusively drank that brand. I believed their lineup lacked any serious offerings, as the original is laughable, the Black was foul, Reserve was mediocre at best, and XO was similar. However, tasting this particular bottle completely astonished me. Immediately, there's an influx of vanilla and maple, sweet brown sugars, and a pleasant oakiness. You also detect some apple and lighter berry notes. It evokes apple pie crust. The finish is somewhat dry, warming, with ample gentle yet noticeable spice. I attribute its improved quality to the higher proof and more legitimate mash bill. It's a richly flavored Canadian whisky that remains approachable for diverse enjoyment. Overall, I consider this my favorite Canadian whisky to date, and honestly, I've never been floored by a Canadian before, but this one certainly did.