Crown Royal 31-Years-Old Canadian Whisky Review

 

What does Canada require for its whisky to be considered Canadian? Many people get this one wrong – and I used to be one of them. I foolishly believed the rules were fast and loose. I was (thankfully) schooled by Davin de Kergommeaux, a respected whiskey author who 2009 founded the Canadian Whisky Awards and is one of the most respected gurus regarding Canadian whiskies.

 

Davin taught me that Canadian whisky is far more complicated than most folks think. It must begin with the mashing and distilling of cereal grains (corn, rye, wheat, etc.). Each component is distilled and aged separately for at least three years in a cooperage of less than 700 liters, and that process must occur entirely in Canada.

 

From there, the blending process occurs. The individual grain whiskies are married and can have added flavors – up to 9.09%. The added flavors must be from a spirit at least two years old or wine. There’s also an option for caramel coloring (e150A).

 

Most Canadian whisky is called Canadian Rye, yet contrary to popular belief, no rye is required in the mash!

 

One of the most famous Canadian whisky brands is Crown Royal, which was established in 1939 as a means to commemorate the arrival of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I, the first British monarchs to visit Canada. Seagram's Waterloo distillery blenders sampled 600 different whiskies to create the perfect representation. They managed to whittle it down to 50, and it is aged in various cooperages, including new charred oak, vintage charred oak, and French oak.  

 

A fun fact is that from 1939 until 1964, you could not purchase Crown Royal outside of Canada. The final result has remained primarily unchanged by design. The brand was sold off to Diageo in 2001.

 

Today, we’re exploring Crown Royal 31. Yeah, that’s a 31-year-old Canadian whisky and Crown’s oldest blend.

 

“Crown Royal’s latest Royal Series limited-edition Crown Royal 31-Year-Old is a stunning, extra-aged whisky born of the same patient heart and soul that defines our Crown Royal Higher Marques masterpieces, taking it yet again, one step further. This rare gem was not rushed and is a perfect addition to your personal luxury spirits collection, a proud pour when celebrating life’s most incredibly, rare, special moments.” – Crown Royal

 

Crown Royal has it listed on its website under its Master Series. Packaged at 46% ABV (92°), Crown Royal 31 is available in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Military PX shops. A 750ml has a suggested price of $599.99.

 

I must thank Diageo for this #DrinkCurious opportunity by providing me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

Appearance: I poured this whisky into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. It had the appearance of liquid caramel. I was surprised at how thick of a rim was produced. It shed a wavy curtain along with bold tears.

 

Nose: The aroma was heavy with earthy floral notes of chrysanthemums and marigolds. I also smelled apples, pears, nutmeg, and a dusting of cinnamon. As I drew the air into my mouth, I discovered maraschino cherries.

 

Palate: Crown Royal 31 possessed a thin, creamy texture. I tasted cherries, pears, and apples on the front of my palate. My mid-palate encountered vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Flavors of oak, brown sugar, and black pepper hit the back of my palate.  

 

Finish: Caramel, vanilla, cherries, apples, and cinnamon grabbed my tongue and held on for 1:14, suggesting a medium finish.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: So, here’s the deal. Crown Royal paid taxes on these specific barrels for at least 31 years. That’s a significant investment by itself while keeping their fingers crossed and hoping for the best. That is the primary driver of this whisky’s price. When you look at 31-year Scotch whiskies, you’re easily looking at four figures. So, in some senses, $600 is a bargain.

 

I enjoyed Crown Royal 31’s fruity and spice notes. I expected a muted palate, especially considering how floral the nosing was. I’m thrilled that my assumption was wrong. It is not your basic Crown Royal and is unlike any other Crown Royal whisky I’ve tried.

 

If you indulge in exotic whiskies, Crown Royal 31 is a winner. You’d be happy to have a Bottle in your collection. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.