Lauren McKenna
Crown Royal is a blended Canadian whisky brand that has been around since 1939.
It was created by Samuel Bronfman, the president of Seagram, to pay homage to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s first visit to Canada. Crown Royal is now owned by Diageo, one of the largest alcohol beverage companies in the world.
Crown Royal is produced in Gimli, Manitoba, a central province just north of North Dakota and Minnesota.
The blending and bottling of the whisky are done in a facility in Amherstburg, Ontario. The brand has become famous for its signature purple bag, which is used to package the whisky bottles.
Crown Royal has a reputation for being one of the best-selling and most beloved brands of whisky in the world, with an extremely brand-loyal group of devotees.
History
Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky that has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
The history of Crown Royal is an interesting one, with its roots dating back to the early 1900s. Here is a brief overview of the history of Crown Royal.
Establishment of the Distillery
The story of Crown Royal begins with the establishment of the distillery in Gimli, Manitoba, in 1924.
The distillery was established by Samuel Bronfman, who was the president of Seagram at the time. Bronfman had a vision of creating a whisky that would be fit for a king, and he set out to make that vision a reality.
The Gimli distillery was located in a small town in Manitoba, just north of North Dakota and Minnesota. The location was chosen for its clean water supply and access to high-quality grains.
The distillery quickly became known for its high-quality spirits, and it wasn’t long before it caught the attention of the royal family.
Creation of Crown Royal
In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth made their first trip to Canada, and Samuel Bronfman saw this as an opportunity to create a whisky fit for a king.
He set out to create a special blend that would be presented to the royal couple as a gift.
The blend that Bronfman created was a combination of 50 different whiskies, and it was so well-received that it was named Crown Royal in honor of the royal visit.
The whisky was packaged in a purple felt bag with a gold drawstring, which quickly became a signature of the brand.
Today, Crown Royal is still made using the same uncompromising standards that were established over 80 years ago. Every drop of Crown Royal is crafted to meet the highest standards of quality, making it one of the finest whiskies in the world.
Production
Ingredients
The ingredients used in making Crown Royal are sourced from Manitoba and surrounding provinces.
Roughly 80% of the grain used in the production of Crown Royal is made up of corn, rye, and barley. These natural ingredients are known for their resilience and ability to withstand subzero temperatures.
In addition to the grains, Crown Royal also uses water from Lake Winnipeg – one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. The water is naturally filtered through layers of limestone, which gives it a unique taste and purity.
Distillation Process
The distillation process of Crown Royal involves a careful blend of several whiskies that are aged in individual warehouses located on Diageo’s 360-acre property in Gimli, Manitoba.
The production of Crown Royal is a 24/7 business that requires approximately 10,000 bushels of rye, corn, and barley.
After the whiskies are blended, they are distilled in copper pot stills to create a smooth and flavorful whisky. The whisky is then aged in oak barrels for varying periods, depending on the specific blend. The aging process is crucial in developing the unique taste and aroma of Crown Royal.
Once the whisky has been aged, it is blended again to create the final product.
The blending process is done in a facility in Amherstburg, Ontario, where the whisky is carefully mixed to achieve the perfect balance of flavors and aromas.
Varieties
Crown Royal offers a wide range of whisky varieties that cater to different tastes and preferences.
Here are some of the most popular Crown Royal varieties:
Original Crown Royal
The original Crown Royal is a blend of 50 different whiskies that are aged in oak barrels.
It has a smooth, rich flavor with hints of vanilla and fruit. This whisky is perfect for those who enjoy a classic, well-balanced drink.
Crown Royal Reserve
Crown Royal Reserve is a premium whisky that is aged for a longer time than the original Crown Royal.
It has a deep, complex flavor with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. This whisky is perfect for those who enjoy a more sophisticated, luxurious drink.
Crown Royal XO
Crown Royal XO is a blend of more than 50 different whiskies that are aged in cognac barrels.
It has a rich, smooth flavor with notes of vanilla, fruit, and spice. This whisky is perfect for those who enjoy a more complex, flavorful drink.
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is a blend of 90% rye grain whisky and 10% malted barley whisky.
It has a spicy, fruity flavor with notes of caramel and oak. This whisky is perfect for those who enjoy a bold, flavorful drink.
Crown Royal Peach
Crown Royal Peach is a limited edition whisky that is infused with the flavor of fresh Georgia peaches.
It has a sweet, fruity flavor with notes of vanilla and spice. This whisky is perfect for those who enjoy a refreshing, fruity drink.
Crown Royal Apple
Crown Royal Apple is a blend of Crown Royal whisky and apple flavoring.
It has a sweet, crisp flavor with notes of caramel and spice. This whisky is perfect for those who enjoy a sweet, fruity drink.
Tasting Notes
Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky that has been enjoyed by many for decades.
It boasts a smooth and mellow taste that is perfect for sipping neat or mixing into a cocktail.
Crown Royal has a golden amber color that is bright and inviting. It is clear and free from any sediment or cloudiness. When swirled in a glass, it leaves long, thin legs that slowly trickle down the sides.
The aroma of Crown Royal is rich and complex. It features light vanilla and caramel notes, with undertones of pound cake and lemon zest.
There is no alcoholic burn as many whiskies have. With a splash of cool water, chocolate and dark fruit notes begin to emerge.
On the palate, Crown Royal is velvety, smooth, and mellow. It has defined oak tones and rich, spicy flavors of cinnamon and vanilla.
The taste is well-balanced, with a slight sweetness that is not overpowering. Crown Royal is easy to drink and has a gentle finish.
The finish of Crown Royal is expansive and long-lasting. It leaves a warm sensation in the mouth and throat, with a slight lingering sweetness.
The finish is not too dry or too oily, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer a balanced taste.
Enjoying Crown Royal
Crown Royal is a premium Canadian whiskey that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
Crown Royal is a versatile whiskey that can be used in many different cocktails.
Here are a few recipes to try:
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Old Fashioned | Crown Royal, sugar, bitters, orange slice, cherry | Muddle sugar, bitters, orange slice, and cherry in a glass. Add ice and Crown Royal. Stir and garnish with orange slice and cherry. |
| Manhattan | Crown Royal, sweet vermouth, bitters, cherry | Stir Crown Royal, sweet vermouth, and bitters in a glass with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a cherry. |
| Whiskey Sour | Crown Royal, lemon juice, sugar, egg white | Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry and orange slice. |
These are just a few examples of the many cocktails that can be made with Crown Royal. Experiment with different ingredients and find your own favorite recipes!
Conclusion
Crown Royal is a blended Canadian whisky that has been around since 1939.
It is a popular choice among whiskey drinkers due to its smooth and classic taste. Crown Royal is owned by Diageo, who purchased the brand in 2000 when the Seagram portfolio was dissolved.
One of the unique things about Crown Royal is that it is made in Gimli, Manitoba, and then blended and bottled in a facility in Amherstburg, Ontario. The whisky is created using a variety of different grains, including corn, rye, and barley.
Unlike American “rye whiskey,” which legally must contain at least 51% rye, Canadian whisky has no such requirement.
Crown Royal has a wide variety of different products, including their classic Crown Royal Deluxe, as well as more premium offerings like Crown Royal XR, which contains whisky from the now-closed LaSalle Distillery in Quebec.
Overall, Crown Royal is a great choice for anyone looking for a smooth and classic Canadian whisky.
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