Crown Royal: Canada’s Classic Whisky

Royalty rarely dabbles in the liquor business. Crown Royal proves to be the exception.

In 1939, a Canadian distiller concocted a blend smooth enough for a king. He succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Today, Crown Royal is known for being a cultural touchstone that bridges everyone from bartop and boardroom.

This amber spirit tells a uniquely Canadian story. It highlights the unique terroir of the region, taking full advantage of the unique growing conditions of the locale. It uses select grains, and is well-known for its patient barrel-aging process. It captures an entire nation's character: unpretentious yet proudly distinct.

From that first royal tasting to its current global empire, Crown Royal has poured itself into history. Let's trace the path of this purple-bagged phenomenon and discover how a humble Canadian whisky came to wear the crown.

For those in Pueblo, CO, you can find your favorite Crown Royal whisky at Big Bear Wine & Liquor. Whether you're visiting their Big Bear - South location at 2037 S Pueblo Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81005, or their Big Bear – Pueblo West store at 940 Hailey Lane, Pueblo West, CO 81007, they have a great selection to choose from.

Crown Royal was born out of a momentous occasion in Canadian history. In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth made the first-ever visit to Canada by reigning British monarchs. Samuel Bronfman, then president of Seagram, wanted to create a whisky that would honor this historic visit. After over 600 blending trials, Bronfman finally arrived at the perfect recipe. The result was Crown Royal—packaged in a cut-glass decanter and wrapped in a regal purple velvet bag.

Initially, Crown Royal was only available in Canada, but it quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest whiskies around. In the 1960s, it made its way to the U.S. market, where it became the best-selling Canadian whisky. Today, it remains one of the most popular whiskies in North America.

For those wondering what type of liquor is Crown Royal, it is classified as a blended Canadian whisky. What makes Crown Royal more distinct than it’s national or even Scottish counterparts is its unique blend. Crown Royal is known for consisting of 50 distinct whiskies, each contributing its own character to the final product. Blending whisky, it’s been said is both an art and a science, and Crown Royal’s master blenders are tasked with the challenge of maintaining the brand’s signature flavor, batch after batch. This process of combining multiple whiskies is where Crown Royal truly shines.

Crown Royal is produced at the Gimli distillery, located in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada. This sprawling distillery, set on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg, has been the heart of Crown Royal production since it opened in 1968. The environment, with its cool, clean waters and vast open landscape, plays a big role in crafting this world-renowned whisky.

The Gimli distillery covers over 360 acres and is a purpose-built facility designed to handle the process of producing Crown Royal's blend. The site includes a high-capacity mashing facility, fermentation vats, distillation columns, and aging warehouses. The distillery’s location in Manitoba provides a unique advantage: the cold winters and warm summers contribute to the interaction between the whisky and the barrels, enhancing the aging process. The shift in temperatures is what allows the spirit to expand and contract in the wood, drawing out more flavor and character from the oak barrels.

One of the distinguishing features of Crown Royal whisky is its complex blend of 50 different whiskies, each carefully crafted at the Gimli distillery. These whiskies are produced using locally sourced grains, including corn, rye, and malted barley. The combination of these grains results in a versatile flavor profile that offers both sweetness and spice, along with the signature smoothness that defines Crown Royal.

Each of the 50 whiskies used in the final blend is aged for a minimum of three years. This aging process takes place in a variety of barrels, including new charred oak barrels, which impart rich vanilla and caramel notes; used charred oak barrels, which soften the spirit and add layers of complexity; and Cognac casks, which introduce subtle fruity undertones and a touch of elegance. The barrels are stored in the distillery's vast warehouses, where the spirit slowly matures under the watchful eye of master distillers.

As expected, every batch of whisky is rigorously tested to ensure consistency and quality. The blending process is a highly skilled operation, requiring master blenders to taste and evaluate each whisky before it becomes part of the final Crown Royal product. This attention to detail ensures that every bottle maintains the same smooth, rich flavor that Crown Royal is known for worldwide.

The final blend, which results from the combination of these 50 whiskies, embodies balance, depth, and a signature smoothness. The team at Gimli is committed to upholding the brand's reputation for quality, ensuring that each batch delivers the same level of excellence Crown Royal drinkers have come to expect.

Each of the 50 whiskies used in Crown Royal’s blend is carefully selected for its specific traits. Some whiskies add depth with smoky or woody notes, while others provide sweetness with hints of vanilla or caramel. Together, these different whiskies harmonize to create a final product that is greater than the sum of its parts—smooth, balanced, and full of nuanced flavors.

The secret to the blend’s success is consistency. Every time you open a bottle of Crown Royal, you can expect the same smooth, rich experience, whether it’s your first taste or your hundredth. The challenge for the blending team is to ensure that despite small variations in grain, barrel aging, or climate conditions, every batch delivers the flavor people associate with the Crown Royal name.

Crown Royal’s depth of flavor lies in its aging process. Each whisky in the blend is aged for at least three years, with some components spending even longer in the barrel to develop their complexity. The aging process takes place in a mix of barrels, each bringing something unique to the final blend.

• New Charred Oak Barrels: These barrels, often used in bourbon production, impart bold flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak.
• Reused Charred Oak Barrels: These barrels offer a more subtle influence, contributing softer wood notes without overpowering the whisky.
• Cognac Casks: The use of Cognac casks in the aging process adds a luxurious touch, with rich fruity notes that complement the whisky’s inherent sweetness.

This variety of barrels creates layers of flavor, from spicy and woody elements to smooth vanilla and dried fruit undertones. The result is a whisky that’s as versatile as it is refined.

Crown Royal’s blending techniques draw on decades of expertise, while the brand continues to experiment with new barrel types and aging processes to keep pushing the boundaries of flavor. From the classic Crown Royal Deluxe to more recent innovations like Crown Royal XO, finished in Cognac barrels, the brand demonstrates a commitment to blending both new and traditional methods.

Since its introduction to the U.S. market, Crown Royal has seen incredible growth. By 2019, it had reached record sales of 7.9 million cases worldwide, earning itself the title of World Whisky Brand Champion in 2020. Thanks to a combination of smart marketing and a consistently high-quality product, Crown Royal has become a staple on shelves across North America. Its sponsorships in motorsports and horse racing have further increased its visibility and appeal.

Crown Royal Variants and Crown Liquor Price Points

Crown Royal offers a variety of whiskies to suit different tastes and budgets. Each variant has its own flavor profile and distinct characteristics. Here’s a look at some of the most popular options:

• Crown Royal Deluxe: The original blend, known for its smooth and well-balanced flavor, this is the whisky that started it all.
• Crown Royal Reserve: A step up in aging and complexity, Crown Royal Reserve offers a more refined taste for those who prefer a premium experience.
• Crown Royal Black: Introduced in 2010, this variant has a higher proof and a bolder, more intense flavor profile.
• Crown Royal XO: Finished in Cognac barrels, Crown Royal XO adds an extra layer of richness and complexity to the traditional blend.
• Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel: A single-barrel rye whisky, offering a robust and spicy flavor, introduced for those looking for something unique.

Whether you're in the mood for something classic or want to explore a more complex variant, Crown Royal liquor has options that caters to both everyday drinkers and whisky connoisseurs alike.

Crown Royal’s enduring popularity shows the care and attention that goes into every bottle. Whether you’re searching for crown liquors near me or just looking to enjoy a glass of whisky at home, Crown Royal offers a perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and quality. From its royal origins to its modern-day status as one of the world’s most beloved whiskies, Crown Royal continues to be a symbol of Canadian excellence.

If you're in Pueblo, CO, and looking to experience Crown Royal for yourself, Big Bear Wine & Liquor has you covered. Visit Big Bear - South at 2037 S Pueblo Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81005, or stop by Big Bear – Pueblo West at 940 Hailey Lane, Pueblo West, CO 81007 to browse their impressive selection of Crown Royal whiskies. You can call them at (719) 547-1786 for more information, or check out their website at www.bigbearwine.com. For any specific questions, feel free to reach out via email at brian@bigbearwine.com.