Category: Crown Royal

A Whisky Dream Comes True

Carin Luna-Ostaseski wanted an approachable Scotch whisky for newcomers, so she decided to blend her own. 11 years ago, the first bottles of SIA Scotch… Read More

Carin Luna-Ostaseski wanted an approachable Scotch whisky for newcomers, so she decided to blend her own. 11 years ago, the first bottles of SIA Scotch Whisky hit the market, becoming one of the first crowd-funded whiskies to successfully go on sale. We’ll catch up with Carin on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Irish Whiskey sales took a hit on 2023, but remains one of the fastest-growing segments of the whisky market. We’ll have the details, along with the rest of the week’s whisky news and much more.

Episode 1048: March 17, 2024

Links: SIA Scotch Whisky | Distilled Spirits Council | Midleton Distillery Experience | Chivas Brothers | The Macallan | Our Whisky Foundation | Whisky Auctioneer | Gold Spot | Teeling Whiskey Company | Royal Mile Whiskies | Chattanooga Whiskey | Pursuit Spirits | Sagamore Spirit | Crown Royal | Bruichladdich | Lost Lantern Whiskey | High N’ Wicked | “Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable Expert”

Image courtesy SIA Scotch Whisky.

Another New Distillery for Kentucky

Garrard County Distilling Company is the latest distillery to come on line in Kentucky, and it’s starting out with big ambitions. The producer of All… Read More

Garrard County Distilling Company is the latest distillery to come on line in Kentucky, and it’s starting out with big ambitions. The producer of All Nations Whiskey has two massive Vendome stills and a pair of rickhouses with plans for 22 more over the next six years. We’ll talk with distillery founder Ray Franklin on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Diageo reports more disappointing sales numbers, while Old Forester names an heir apparent for longtime Master Distiller Chris Morris. 

Episode 1042: February 4, 2024

Links: Garrard County Distilling Co. | Diageo | Old Forester | Longmorn | Heaven Hill | Redwood Empire | Hard Truth Distilling | Westland Distillery | Method and Madness | Titanic Distillers | Jack Daniel’s | Wayne Gretzky Distillery | Two Brewers | Crown Royal

Image courtesy Garrard County Distilling Co.

OHLQ Announces OKI and Crown Royal Exclusives – Arriving Week of January 29

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced single barrel selections from O.K.I. and Crown Royal. The expressions are O.K.I. Single Barrel Bourbon ($79.99 + tax), O.K.I. Single Barrel Rye ($79.99 + tax), and Crown Royal Hand Sele…

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced single barrel selections from O.K.I. and Crown Royal. The expressions are O.K.I. Single Barrel Bourbon ($79.99 + tax), O.K.I. Single Barrel Rye ($79.99 + tax), and Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel ($54.99 + tax). 

For this release, the State has 12 barrels worth of product from O.K.I. (4 barrels worth of rye and 8 barrels worth of bourbon) and 15 barrels worth of Crown. 

O.K.I. Rye Single Barrel (95% rye mashbill)

  • Barrel #113 - 117.9 Proof - Caramel and vanilla on the nose open to flavor notes of ripe banana and rye spice.
  • Barrel #114 - 118.3 Proof - A joyful spun sugar flavor is accented by notes of cherry licorice and vanilla.
  • Barrel #115 - 117.2 Proof - Sweet and floral notes of rose and citrus develop into a deep grape flavor made complex with tannins and soft spice.
  • Barrel #116 - 116.0 Proof - Aromas of blueberry, caramel, and vanilla carry through to buttery flavors of baking spice and blueberry muffin with tart cherry notes that ease into a long finish.

O.K.I. Rye Single Barrel (60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley mashbill)

  • Barrel #246 - 114.3 Proof - Mild nuttiness introduces a smooth, sweet, late fruit flavor that warms to a soft, long finish. 
  • Barrel #248 - 112.7 Proof - Dried orange and rose petal flavor notes blossom into a long finish. 
  • Barrel #252 - 114.0 Proof - A slightly herbal flavor of sweet iced tea is made complex with hints of coffee.
  • Barrel #255 - 112.7 Proof - Aromas of leather and oak develop to a flavor of vanilla and toffee with woody notes.
  • Barrel #250 - 114.5 Proof - An inviting aroma of caramel carries through to a buttery, toffee flavor.
  • Barrel #253 - 115.7 Proof - A sweet nose opens up to a woody flavor accented by drizzled honey.
  • Barrel #256 - 111.5 Proof - A complex aroma reveals a sweet, caramel flavor with notes of spice. 
  • Barrel #257 - 112.7 Proof - Caramel and pleasant spice develop into a cascade of distinctive flavors.

Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel (103 Proof, 51.5% alcohol)

  • Barrel #38 - Almond Croissant - Notes of sweet red velvet cake introduce a full-bodied palate with creamy nuttiness.
  • Barrel #41 - Cherry Old Fashioned - Bittersweet notes of flamed orange peel add complexity to a palate of vanilla, warm spices, and rich, dark cherry.
  • Barrel #42 - Apple Crumble - Notes of oak, old-fashioned oats, and vanilla enrich a fruit-forward flavor profile of bright, juicy apple with home-baked warmth.
  • Barrel #51 - Sea Salt Caramel - The nostalgic flavor of bubble gum and spun sugar is tempered with mild salinity to create an appealing sweet-salty taste.
  • Barrel #56 - Cinnamon Sugar Toast - Warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors mingle with notes of espresso and buttered toast to deliver a palate reminiscent of a relaxed breakfast.
  • Barrel #115 - Mystery Barrel - An OHLQ “bonus” barrel - we invite you to uncover the mystery by sampling the barrel and sharing your own tasting notes.
  • Barrel #192 - Elephant Ear - Sweet, simple notes of confectioner’s sugar are balanced with creaminess for a palate with pastry-like appeal. 
  • Barrel #193 - Lemon Biscotti - Bright citrus notes mingle with rye spice to create a biscotti-inspired flavor.
  • Barrel #196 - Frosted Snickerdoodle - A cinnamon cookie palate finishes with sugar-drizzled notes. 
  • Barrel #197 - Vanilla Cream - Notes of fresh walnut round out a vanilla and cream cheese frosting flavor profile.
  • Barrel #198 - Banana Chocolate Ripple - Playful chocolate banana notes are given complexity with accents of marzipan, walnut, malt, and rye spice.
  • Barrel #199 - Maple Butter - A fresh-tapped maple flavor sparkles with bright notes of candied orange peel.
  • Barrel #226 - Candied Lemon Scone - Cream and confectioner’s sugar notes bring bakery charm to a candied lemon flavor profile.
  • Barrel #237 - Caramel Espresso - A salted caramel macchiato flavor profile gives coffee shop appeal to this well rounded expression.
  • Barrel #250 - Ginger Snap - Notes of honey and warm baking spice bring dimension to a vanilla and black tea flavor profile.

My Take

First off, I'm calling nonsense on the names of the Crown Royal barrels. There is no way there is that much variation between these barrels... especially when they have all been brought to the same proof level. 

In terms of if you should buy this, for the O.K.I..... $80 is a lot to pay for a blend, especially with no age statement. For the Crown, it's more moderately priced, but comes in at a lower proof and also doesn't contain an age statement. On this, I'd say pass on the O.K.I. and maybe on the Crown if you see it in your every day shopping... I wouldn't be hunting for either of these. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 

Source: OHLQ

Balcones Distilling Celebrates 15 Years of Texas Whiskey

Balcones Distilling in Waco helped put Texas whiskey on the map when it opened in 2008, and this past weekend, the distillery marked it’s 15th… Read More

Balcones Distilling in Waco helped put Texas whiskey on the map when it opened in 2008, and this past weekend, the distillery marked it’s 15th anniversary with a rain-soaked party. We spent the weekend in Waco for the celebration, and sat down with longtime head distiller Jared Himstedt to get answers to some of your questions. In the news, whisky cask investment schemes in the UK are coming under scrutiny, while a charity auction to benefit victims of the recent Irish floods has raised nearly €35,000. 

Episode 1029: November 5, 2023

Links: Balcones Distilling | Irish Whiskey Auctions.ie | Edrington | William Grant & Sons | MGP | Thompson Bros. | Scotch Malt Whisky Society | Lost Lantern Whiskey | Frey Ranch Distillery | 2XO Whiskey | Benromach | GlenDronach | Talisker | Crown Royal | Aberfeldy | Ardray

Hardin’s Creek Clermont Bourbon Tops the Week’s New Releases

Beam Suntory is out with the first of three releases in the Hardin’s Creek range of small batch Bourbons. Hardin’s Creek Clermont is named for… Read More

Beam Suntory is out with the first of three releases in the Hardin’s Creek range of small batch Bourbons. Hardin’s Creek Clermont is named for the town of Clermont where the James B. Beam Distilling Company is located, and this whiskey was matured in the rickhouses at Clermont. Later this summer, Hardin’s Creek releases for the other two Kentucky sites in Boston and Frankfort will be released, with Frankfort coming on August 1 and Boston rounding out the Kentucky Series on September 1.

Master distiller Freddie Noe says all three were distilled 17 years ago on the same day. “Probably the most unique part of this is that the barrels from that same couple of fermenters and distillation were dispersed among these three facilities at infancy…there wasn’t no movement afterwards, and that just doesn’t happen,” he said in a Zoom call with whisky writers.

Hardin’s Creek Clermont will be available starting this month with a recommended retail price of $169.99 a bottle.

Also from Bourbon Country…Wild Turkey is releasing its third annual batch of Russell’s Reserve 13 year old. It’s a barrel proof, unfiltered Bourbon selected by Eddie Russell that made its debut two years ago, and will be available starting this month with a recommended retail price of $150 a bottle.

Woodford Reserve has released its annual Batch Proof bottling as part of the Master’s Collection series. It’s the first batch proof release since Elizabeth McCall was promoted to master distiller several months ago, and is bottled at 62-point-3 percent ABV. It’ll be available in select U-S and global markets with a recommended retail price of $129.99 a bottle.

Texas’s Milam and Greene is out with a new small batch Bourbon of their own…in fact, it’s a very small batch of just 75 barrels finished with French Oak staves. It’s the first core addition to the Milam and Greene lineup in more than two years…and part of their partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company. Milam and Greene Very Small Batch Batch number one will be available in limited amounts with a recommended retail price of $69.99 a bottle.

Meanwhile, Bardstown Bourbon Company has a new release of its own, the 10th expression in the Discovery Series, which blends whiskies from around the U.S. Discovery Number 10 combines Bourbons from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. It’ll be available online at Seelbach’s dot com and at retailers in 24 U.S. states with a recommended retail price of $139.99 a bottle.

Blue Run Spirits is releasing a new Double Oak Single Barrel Rye…with 10 different barrels available. It’s finished in new charred oak barrels, and is available now through Blue Run’s web site and starting next month at retailers in Kentucky, California, Illinois, Florida, and Michigan for $199.99 a bottle. 

There’s a new expression of Bib and Tucker Bourbon coming soon from Deutsch Family Wines and Spirits. Bib and Tucker Double Char is a 6-year-old Tennessee Bourbon finished in a new heavily charred oak barrel that’s also been smoked with sugar maple charcoal in an homage to the Lincoln County Process of charcoal filtering. It’ll be available starting in August with a recommended retail price of $54.99 a bottle.

Ireland’s Teeling Whiskey Company has released the second edition in its Wonders of Wood series. The single pot still whiskey was matured in Virgin Portuguese Oak barrels and carries a $99.99 price tag. Part of the proceeds from each bottle will go to help reforest an acre of woodland near Dublin with native Irish Oak trees.

Crown Royal has released what may well be the oldest flavored whisky on record. Crown Royal Golden Apple Aged 23 Years is part of a partnership with multimedia artist Solange Knowles, and will carry a recommended retail price of $249.99 a bottle.

On the Scotch front, Whyte and Mackay has released this year’s bottling of Fettercairn 18 Year old. It’s finished in locally sourced Scottish Oak barrels, and will be available in the U-K, France, Germany, and other countries for around $275 a bottle.

Finally, Italy’s Puni Distillery has released its third bottling in the Aura range, a cask-strength bottling aged for eight years in virgin French Oak casks. It’s available through the Puni web site for €179 a bottle.

Published June 4, 2023

Hardin’s Creek Clermont Bourbon Tops the Week’s New Releases

Beam Suntory is out with the first of three releases in the Hardin’s Creek range of small batch Bourbons. Hardin’s Creek Clermont is named for… Read More

Beam Suntory is out with the first of three releases in the Hardin’s Creek range of small batch Bourbons. Hardin’s Creek Clermont is named for the town of Clermont where the James B. Beam Distilling Company is located, and this whiskey was matured in the rickhouses at Clermont. Later this summer, Hardin’s Creek releases for the other two Kentucky sites in Boston and Frankfort will be released, with Frankfort coming on August 1 and Boston rounding out the Kentucky Series on September 1.

Master distiller Freddie Noe says all three were distilled 17 years ago on the same day. “Probably the most unique part of this is that the barrels from that same couple of fermenters and distillation were dispersed among these three facilities at infancy…there wasn’t no movement afterwards, and that just doesn’t happen,” he said in a Zoom call with whisky writers.

Hardin’s Creek Clermont will be available starting this month with a recommended retail price of $169.99 a bottle.

Also from Bourbon Country…Wild Turkey is releasing its third annual batch of Russell’s Reserve 13 year old. It’s a barrel proof, unfiltered Bourbon selected by Eddie Russell that made its debut two years ago, and will be available starting this month with a recommended retail price of $150 a bottle.

Woodford Reserve has released its annual Batch Proof bottling as part of the Master’s Collection series. It’s the first batch proof release since Elizabeth McCall was promoted to master distiller several months ago, and is bottled at 62-point-3 percent ABV. It’ll be available in select U-S and global markets with a recommended retail price of $129.99 a bottle.

Texas’s Milam and Greene is out with a new small batch Bourbon of their own…in fact, it’s a very small batch of just 75 barrels finished with French Oak staves. It’s the first core addition to the Milam and Greene lineup in more than two years…and part of their partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company. Milam and Greene Very Small Batch Batch number one will be available in limited amounts with a recommended retail price of $69.99 a bottle.

Meanwhile, Bardstown Bourbon Company has a new release of its own, the 10th expression in the Discovery Series, which blends whiskies from around the U.S. Discovery Number 10 combines Bourbons from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. It’ll be available online at Seelbach’s dot com and at retailers in 24 U.S. states with a recommended retail price of $139.99 a bottle.

Blue Run Spirits is releasing a new Double Oak Single Barrel Rye…with 10 different barrels available. It’s finished in new charred oak barrels, and is available now through Blue Run’s web site and starting next month at retailers in Kentucky, California, Illinois, Florida, and Michigan for $199.99 a bottle. 

There’s a new expression of Bib and Tucker Bourbon coming soon from Deutsch Family Wines and Spirits. Bib and Tucker Double Char is a 6-year-old Tennessee Bourbon finished in a new heavily charred oak barrel that’s also been smoked with sugar maple charcoal in an homage to the Lincoln County Process of charcoal filtering. It’ll be available starting in August with a recommended retail price of $54.99 a bottle.

Ireland’s Teeling Whiskey Company has released the second edition in its Wonders of Wood series. The single pot still whiskey was matured in Virgin Portuguese Oak barrels and carries a $99.99 price tag. Part of the proceeds from each bottle will go to help reforest an acre of woodland near Dublin with native Irish Oak trees.

Crown Royal has released what may well be the oldest flavored whisky on record. Crown Royal Golden Apple Aged 23 Years is part of a partnership with multimedia artist Solange Knowles, and will carry a recommended retail price of $249.99 a bottle.

On the Scotch front, Whyte and Mackay has released this year’s bottling of Fettercairn 18 Year old. It’s finished in locally sourced Scottish Oak barrels, and will be available in the U-K, France, Germany, and other countries for around $275 a bottle.

Finally, Italy’s Puni Distillery has released its third bottling in the Aura range, a cask-strength bottling aged for eight years in virgin French Oak casks. It’s available through the Puni web site for €179 a bottle.

Published June 4, 2023

Old Pulteney Shutting Down for 8 Weeks to Protect Water Supply

With some parts of Scotland facing another long, dry summer, distilleries are making plans to cope with expected water shortages from the lochs and rivers… Read More

With some parts of Scotland facing another long, dry summer, distilleries are making plans to cope with expected water shortages from the lochs and rivers that provide essential water for distilling. Wick’s Old Pulteney Distillery has already announced plans to shut down production for eight weeks this summer after losing much of the last two summers to drought. We’ll talk with distillery manager Malcolm Waring on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Balmenach Distillery has received a £4 million upgrade to make the distillery more energy-efficient, a bottle of the rare 81-year-old The Reach from The Macallan is up for grabs in British Columbia, and there’s a host of new whiskies being released in time for Father’s Day.

Episode 1007: June 4, 2023

Links: Old Pulteney | Russell’s Reserve | Woodford Reserve | Hardin’s Creek | Milam & Greene | Bardstown Bourbon Company | Blue Run Spirits | Bib & Tucker Bourbon | Teeling Whiskey Company | Crown Royal | Fettercairn | Puni Distillery | Ardbeg | Lagavulin

Old Pulteney Shutting Down for 8 Weeks to Protect Water Supply

With some parts of Scotland facing another long, dry summer, distilleries are making plans to cope with expected water shortages from the lochs and rivers… Read More

With some parts of Scotland facing another long, dry summer, distilleries are making plans to cope with expected water shortages from the lochs and rivers that provide essential water for distilling. Wick’s Old Pulteney Distillery has already announced plans to shut down production for eight weeks this summer after losing much of the last two summers to drought. We’ll talk with distillery manager Malcolm Waring on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Balmenach Distillery has received a £4 million upgrade to make the distillery more energy-efficient, a bottle of the rare 81-year-old The Reach from The Macallan is up for grabs in British Columbia, and there’s a host of new whiskies being released in time for Father’s Day.

Episode 1007: June 4, 2023

Links: Old Pulteney | Russell’s Reserve | Woodford Reserve | Hardin’s Creek | Milam & Greene | Bardstown Bourbon Company | Blue Run Spirits | Bib & Tucker Bourbon | Teeling Whiskey Company | Crown Royal | Fettercairn | Puni Distillery | Ardbeg | Lagavulin

Crown Royal And Dave Grohl Thank Canada

Diageo-owned Crown Royal has enlisted former Nirvana and current Foo Fighters musical artist, Dave Grohl for their upcoming Super Bowl commercial in which they thank Canada for a myriad of inventions. Grohl – who is not Canadian – proceeds to rattle off a list of artists, domestic items, foods, sports and gadgets originating in the […]

Diageo-owned Crown Royal has enlisted former Nirvana and current Foo Fighters musical artist, Dave Grohl for their upcoming Super Bowl commercial in which they thank Canada for a myriad of inventions.

Grohl – who is not Canadian – proceeds to rattle off a list of artists, domestic items, foods, sports and gadgets originating in the Great White North for which he is thankful, including Rush, Eugene Levy [which would inherently include “SCTV” – though only some members of that comedy group are shown], the electric wheelchair, ironing board, peanut butter, paint roller, basketball, hockey and even football [though, alas, no “Kids in the Hall”].

In the end of this 30-second version – the full 60-second version will run during tomorrow’s game – Grohl unfurls a large Crown Royal banner with the sentiment toward Canada.

Crown Royal was the first spirits brand to advertise in the Super Bowl in 2017 – the first year spirits brands were allowed to advertise during the game – and, in 2021, became the official whiskey sponsor of the National Football League.

Inbox / The Week’s Whisky News (November 18, 2022)

Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky an…



Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/piece of news/PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. 
 
Here is the round-up of the news from this last week.
 
________
 
 

Crown Royal
The popular Canadian blended whisky of Crown Royal has announced a limited edition super-premium bottle - the Crown Royal 29. It is the latest addition to the brand's Higher Marques range. The rye whisky was produced at Crown Royal's distillery in Gimli, Manitoba and has been aged for a minimum of 29 years in oak barrels. There are just 6,000 bottles and each is presented in a bespoke decanter and velvet bag. Crown Royal 29 will be available in selected 10 American states including Arizona, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas. A bottle will retail for US$399.

 
Maker's Mark
 

The Kentucky wheated bourbon brand of Maker's Mark has released two city-inspired new bottlings that will form the beginning of a new travel retail exclusive range. The City Series has launched with the New York Edition and Sydney Edition with each whisky exclusive to its respective city's airports. Brand owner Beam Suntory state that the new releases will offer unique flavour profiles for each city and the series is the result of a decade of wood science innovation.
 
The New York Edition (pictured, above right) is described as 'big, bold and complex' and will cost US$95 per bottle. The Sydney Edition (pictured, above left) is said to be 'herbaceous and vibrant' and is presented at a cask strength of 52.6% ABV. A bottle will cost AU$140. Each bottling will be accompanied by 'disruptive and experiential' activations at each airport.

 
Uncle Nearest
 

The Tennessee distillery of Nearest Green has announced three new whiskeys to add to their Uncle Nearest range. The trio is headed by the Uncle Nearest Rye 100 Proof (pictured, above centre), which is available now, and will be joined by the Single Barrel Black Label on Black Friday (November 25) and the Single Barrel Rye on December 15 in time for Christmas. 
 
Each expression has been created by Victoria Eady Butler, the Master Blender for Uncle Nearest. The three whiskeys are respectively priced at US$59, US$79 and US$89. They will only be available at the distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee or via selected online retailers.

 

White Peak
The English distillery of White Peak has announced the release of its latest limited edition single malt - the Wire Works Virgin Oak Cask Finish. The new whisky features the Derbyshire-based distillery's lightly peated spirit which has been initially matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels before a short finishing period in virgin American oak casks. It has been released at 51.7% ABV and is limited to just 3,000 bottles. The Wire Works Virgin Oak Cask Finish is available to purchase from the White Peak website and selected specialist whisky retailers in the UK. Each bottle will cost £67.

 
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