My buddy Bruce and I were having a meeting over nightcaps, and one of my customers bought a bottle of Crown Royal XR and was nice enough to share out a bit.
This extra rare bottling of Crown was made from remaining barrels from the old Seagram’s distillery in Waterloo, Ontario. The distillery closed in 1992, and was later destroyed by fire. Working on the principle of the “Ruined Stills of Scotland” the whiskies produced there will never be duplicated though they are already being imitated at other Seagram’s distilleries.
The idea is that these whiskeys are so rare and wonderful that they can only be released in limited numbers once per year. In other words, it’s a ~$150 gimmick for the Christmas season. Jim Arndorfer’s Brew Blog has a great writeup on the packaging, marketing, and celebrity tie-ins.
I have an amazing respect for Andrew MacKay’s whiskey blending skills, but I’m really dissapointed in this product. I’m reminded of corn whiskey that has spent too many years in a barrel. Too much wood, some of it dry rotted from the outside in, has been imparted to this spirit. The result is a muddy blended whiskey lacking distinct layers of flavor.
You’d be hard pressed to get $10 a fifth for that kind of swill in Kentucky.
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
This is a fine whiskey..just follow the old rule for whiskey..north is better!!! If it is anywhere south of canada is is garbage.
July 11th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Crown XR is the heat.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:17 am
Hello:
I would like to take offense to your slamming of the the Crown Royal XR. I believe that this has to be the reaction to a bitter critic that is angry at the world for some reason or other. I have always been a fan of the crown royal family and when I learned that a new product was being released to the world I anxiously waited for it’s release.
I do believe that before slamming a great product maybe you should stop drinking your $10 a fifth swill in Kentucky
August 16th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I would encourage anyone with a preference for the Crown XR to taste some whiskies that are truly magnificent and to make the side-by-side comparisons. Specific examples are below:
The 1989 Bowmore 16 year old unchillfiltered shows flavorful depth - you can distinctly taste the different flavors rising and falling. The bottle just displays an amazing clarity of flavor.
The 1969 Glenrothes 39 year old Duncan & Taylor Rarest of the Rare bottling demonstrates the crisp and clean wood notes that the XR is missing. Comparing the two products demonstrates that the XR really does taste like a muddy mass of sodden wood.
And to dispel the “cost vs. quality” issue I would advise trying McCarthy’s Single Malt from Oregon’s Clear Creek Distilling. A beautiful peated whiskey that’s only three years old, but double wood finished to perfection. I’ve always thought that if any of it were put back to ten years it might approach the quality of the finest European stocks.
August 28th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Yes, but you are comparing apples to oranges. 1969 glenrothes vs the Crown XR, come on….
September 28th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I’ve got to agree with Seamus on this one. You need to evaluate the spirit on the grounds of its own category. Canadian Whisky is not supposed to taste like maritime scotch, peat has as little to do with the goals of this blend as it does with vodka. And frankly, I’m of the opinion that most-to-all Canadian whisky is cloying crap. Crown Royal XR is the exception to the rule. My exposure to it is, admittedly limited. I’ve only tried it once in a blind tasting, but I was surprised by how much I liked it and how complex I perceived the flavor to be. Of course, given the choice, I’d probably rather have that Bowmore too, but that’s just because it suits my taste better. The Crown Royal XR does everything it’s supposed to and well. Far and away the best Canadian whisky I’ve had.
November 19th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Bought a bottle,, Never open it.
December 27th, 2007 at 1:51 am
I bought a bottle on sale last year, around Christmas, for $150.
I like a lot of different types of alcohol, but also enjoy CR Special Reserve, a lot.
So I figured I’d try the XR. For the money, I was dissapointed, but still liked it. I found it a little more complex than the SR, but not enough to justify the price. I got a bottle as a present this year, and I like it a lot better when it’s free!
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
question if any body knows the answer.. i have a bottle of crown royal still sealed.. and the alcohol is blue.. anybody?
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
No idea about the blue Crown Royal, but I definitly wouldn’t drink it. Call the company… I’m sure that they would be very interested.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Ive been a crown fan for awhile but have never had a taste of the XR. I’m a fan of the Regular, and SR. My favoritie thus far is the Crown Cask No 16. Crown cask in cognac barrels! amazing flavor! I think i may purchase the XR just to add to my collection.