Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky, made in Gimli, Manitoba. It was first blended in 1939 for the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada, which is why it comes in a purple bag with a crown on the bottle.
The original
Crown Royal Deluxe, the one in the purple bag, is smooth and a little sweet, with vanilla and a light oak taste. It is easy to drink on ice or with ginger ale or cola. If you do not know what someone likes, this is the safe gift.
The flavors
- Apple. The most popular flavor. Mix it with cranberry juice, or make a Washington Apple with sour apple schnapps and cranberry.
- Peach. Pour it with sweet tea or lemonade.
- Vanilla. Sweet and soft. Good with cola or cream soda.
- Blackberry. Dark fruit. Try it with lemonade or lemon-lime soda.
- Chocolate. A dessert whisky. Good with cold brew coffee or on its own over ice.
The flavored bottles are lower in alcohol than the original. They are flavored whisky, made to mix.
Two worth a step up
Crown Royal Black is stronger, at 90 proof, and has a darker, richer taste from charred oak barrels. If the original tastes too light, try this one.
Crown Royal XO is finished in barrels that held cognac. It is rounder and fruitier, and it is the one to sip.
What to buy
For a party, buy the original or Apple in the 1.75 liter size. It pours about 39 drinks, against about 16 from a 750ml. The small 375ml bottles are an easy way to try a flavor first.
On our shelf right now
Online prices, read from our own inventory when this page was built.