Review: Crown Royal Single Malt
Review: Crown Royal Single Malt
Crown Royal, the Canadian whisky powerhouse, extends its line into something entirely new for the brand — and not all that common in Canada, to be honest. So here it is: Crown Royal’s first single malt.
Made from 100% malted barley, the whisky is “crafted in the Canadian cold,” which is perhaps the brand’s way of saying it doesn’t have an age statement.
The whisky effectively blurs the line between Canada and Scotland, taking the delicacy of malt and running through the more rugged character of the Great White North. The nose is toasty and moderately charred (think toasted marshmallow), opening quickly to reveal elements of sesame, peanut butter, and caramel. It’s slightly fruity with a note of dried banana chips, touched up with vanilla.
On the palate, the whisky is more austere than the nose would suggest, featuring a stronger punch of barrel char, tobacco leaf, and subdued spice box notes. There’s a not insignificant smokiness here which provides the biggest surprise, leading to a slightly green, herbal quality that builds alongside the finish. Here at last the whisky sweetens back up, with vanilla cream and a light fruitiness — ripe banana, and some peach — making a strong showing.
The body is considerably more viscous than your typical single malt Scotch, owing perhaps in part to its delivery at a slightly upsized 45% abv, but more I think due to its Canadian provenance and the type of barrels used for aging. (Probably ex-Crown Royal “purple bag” barrels, but no one is saying.) This helps give the otherwise innocuous whisky some much-needed heft, though it ultimately remains a gentle, easygoing experience that should offend no one. If you’re looking for the Crown Royal of single malts, well, er, I guess you found it right where you’d expect.
90 proof.
B / $55 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
Crown Royal Single Malt
$55
