Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky: A Smooth but Uninspired Debut
As the number-one selling Canadian whiskey brand in the world, Crown Royal has finally ventured into the single malt market with its latest release. But does this new whisky live up to the brand’s reputation for quality and distinctiveness?
A Brief History of Crown Royal
Crown Royal Canadian Whisky was specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939. The brand’s rich history and heritage are undeniable, but how does this translate to its single malt offering?
The Whisky
Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky is distilled at Valleyfield Distillery in a copper still, using Canada’s cool climate and topography to distill the whisky delicately. The company describes the whisky as “smooth” multiple times in its press release, but does this smoothness come at the cost of complexity and character?
Nose
The nose is surprisingly light, with a delicate aroma built on a foundation of light caramel, green apple, and toasted oak. While it’s not unpleasant, it lacks presence and is instantly forgettable.
Palate
The palate brings a good deal of sweetness, delivered with a light but creamy consistency. Honey and vanilla cream give way to honey-roasted nuts and cinnamon. These flavors work well together, but are hamstrung by the whisky’s tepid delivery of flavors.
Finish
The finish is where the whisky finally shows some signs of life, with a welcomed amount of spice and a thin layer of barrel char, light brown sugar, toffee, and buttercream. However, these additional flavors don’t have as much of an impact as needed, resulting in a finish that balances spice and sweetness nicely but comes too late to save the sip.
A Missed Opportunity
Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky is a relatively simple pour that does away with many single malt characteristics for something that comes off more as an uninspired blended whisky. With single malts slowly on the rise, many brands are feeling the need to have a presence in the space. However, it seems that many larger brands are taking a careful onboarding path with flavor profiles more in common with bourbon than what the more tenured single malt producers have been releasing.
Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky
In a world where people will pay $100 for a blackberry-flavored Crown Royal, maybe this whisky is priced exactly right? For those looking for an interesting single malt, Crown Royal Single Malt does not fit the bill. For those looking to try an easy-drinking single malt, it is certainly that, but $55 seems like a high price to pay for that and nothing else.
Whisky barrels
The Verdict
Crown Royal Single Malt is extremely approachable thanks to its overall sweet flavor profile and proof, but does little to show what makes single malt whiskey special. It’s a stepping stone whisky of sorts, offering little to the experienced single malt drinker, but acting as an easy place for newcomers to try and explore. Let’s just hope consumers don’t interpret this release as all of what single malts have to offer.
Whisky glass
