Review: Crown Royal XR Extra Rare “Blue Label” – 2012 LaSalle Distillery Release
Review: Crown Royal XR Extra Rare “Blue Label” – 2012 LaSalle Distillery Release
In 2006 Crown Royal released its first XR bottling, a whisky that didn’t joke when it used the “extra rare” moniker on the label. Crafted from whiskies salvaged from its Waterloo distillery, which had actually burned down, it’s safe to say that if you haven’t picked up the 2006 Crown Royal XR by now, you aren’t going to.
Now Crown is back with a new version of XR, this one from its LaSalle Distillery, distinguished from the earlier release by the blue label wrapped around the neck. LaSalle did not burn down, but the whisky remains a limited release bottling that will be on sale for only a limited time. We got a sample. Here’s how it comes across.
Light and fruity on the nose, this smells a bit like very young Bourbon, fresh and vibrant. Not much wood to be found. This is backed up on the tongue: Very fruity, with apple and banana up front, nougat, bread, and biscuit characteristics. Rye grain comes along on the finish. Not nearly as woody as the Waterloo edition, and very clean. For this price, though, I’d like to see a bit more complexity.
80 proof.
A- / $130 / crownroyal.com
Crown Royal XR Extra Rare "Blue Label" - 2012 LaSalle Distillery Release
$130
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Crown always seems a little too mild for my tastes. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad, but if I’m paying a premium cost, like you, I’d like to see a little more flavor… especially on a bottling like this one.
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