Crown Royal Aged 18 Years is a premium Canadian whisky that has been meticulously crafted by the brand’s master blender. The whisky is a blend of three exceptional whiskies that have been hand-selected for their unique characteristics.
Aged for no less than eighteen years, this whisky is the pinnacle of Crown Royal’s craftsmanship. It belongs to a special collection of mature whiskies that have been married together to achieve an elegant balance.
The ageing process plays a crucial role in enhancing the complexity of the liquid, bringing out richer and more intricate flavours. The end result is a whisky with exquisite smoothness, making it a true masterpiece in the world of spirits.
Let’s delve deeper into the individual components that make Crown Royal Aged 18 Years a remarkable whisky:
Blend of Three Whiskies: The master blender hand-selects three exceptional whiskies for this blend. Each whisky contributes a unique flavour profile, whether it’s the richness of caramel, the spiciness of rye, or the smoothness of malt.
The art of blending these distinct whiskies is a skill that takes years to master.
Aging Process: The whiskies are aged for a minimum of eighteen years in carefully selected barrels. The type of wood used for the barrels, the conditions of the aging warehouse, and the time spent aging all contribute to the whisky’s final flavour.
Over this period, the liquid absorbs the characteristics of the wood, gaining complexity and depth.
Elegant Balance: Achieving an elegant balance in a blend of mature whiskies is no small feat. It requires a deep understanding of how different flavour profiles interact with each other. The master blender ensures that no single whisky overpowers the others, resulting in a harmonious blend.
Complexity and Smoothness: One of the standout features of this whisky is its complexity, which is amplified by the aging process. As the whisky ages, it undergoes chemical changes that bring out richer and more intricate flavours.
This complexity is balanced by an exquisite smoothness, making each sip a luxurious experience.
Pinnacle Collection: Being part of Crown Royal’s pinnacle collection means that this whisky is among the best the brand has to offer. It represents the zenith of their craftsmanship and is a testament to their commitment to quality.
This whisky is not just a beverage; it’s an experience that encapsulates the mastery of blending, the science of aging, and the art of balance. It’s a true connoisseur’s choice.
Current Products
Crown Royal Black
Crown Royal Black, introduced in 2010, is a darker, stronger whisky with 90 proof. It is presented in a black felt-like bag.
Crown Royal Reserve
Launched in 1992, Crown Royal Reserve offers whiskies aged longer than the original blend. It comes in a tan bag, resembling velvet, with thick gold drawstrings.
Crown Royal XR (Extra Rare)
Crown Royal XR, a limited-edition variant, was released in 2006. Originally made with the final batches of whiskey from the defunct Waterloo, Ontario, distillery, it now uses whiskey from the closed Lasalle, Quebec, distillery. Packaged in numbered bottles, this variant features a blue color scheme to differentiate it from the original Waterloo version.
Crown Royal XO
Introduced in January 2014, Crown Royal XO is a mix of 50 whiskies finished in Cognac casks from the French Limousin forest, and comes in a bag with gray and gold embroidered accents.
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, launched in May 2015, comes in an off-white, felt-like bag.
Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel
Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel, another variant introduced in May 2015, is a single barrel rye derived from North America’s sole Coffey rye still. Certain retailers can buy a whole cask to distribute to customers.
Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniversary Blend
Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniversary Blend, introduced in 2014, was crafted to mark the 1939 royal visit that sparked the brand’s creation. It was initially prepared as a royal gift.
Crown Royal Regal Apple
Crown Royal Regal Apple, introduced in November 2014, is a blend of Crown Royal with apple flavor, and comes in a green felt-like bag.
Crown Royal Vanilla
Crown Royal Vanilla is presented in a tan felt-like bag, while Crown Royal Salted Caramel comes in a burnt-orange, felt-like bag.
Crown Royal Peach
Crown Royal Peach, a limited edition released in early 2019, is packaged in a peach-colored, felt-like bag.
Discontinued Variations
Crown Royal XR (Red) was the initial edition of Crown Royal XR, incorporating the last batch of aged whiskies from the renowned Waterloo distillery. This rare variant, no longer in production, is indeed a unique find.
Introduced towards the end of 2007, Crown Royal Cask No. 16 was crafted from over fifty blended whiskies that were individually aged in 12-year-old cognac barrels made from oak sourced from France’s Limousin forest. The whiskies were aimed at having a cognac-like finish with hints of rye, grain, and fruit. It comes in a black felt-like bag adorned with the embroidered logo and name “CASK No 16”. However, this blend was discontinued in late 2012.
Crown Royal Texas Mesquite, introduced in 2018, comes in a blue felt-like bag.
Other variants include Crown Royal Honey and Crown Royal Maple Finished.
