Crown Royal Reserve Blended Canadian Whisky (750ml)

Crown Royal offer little insight into the provenance of this blend, but according to the Blogoshere, it's a re-badged Crown Royal with new packaging. Drinkhacker.com writes this was "...formerly known as 'Special Reserve', the blend also gets a slightly new, less 'Special' name. The recipe, however, is the same, a selection of less than 1 percent of the stock available to the company, notably including some spicy rye whisky. It's a stunning Canadian release which we had the pleasure of sampling in 2011. Just landed in Australia.

Tasting note: [Tasted in 2011 from a sample generously donated by a local Bourbon enthusiast] Deep brassy gold colour. Initial passings offer plenty of immediate appeal leaving impressions of buttered popcorn, vanilla slice, wafer biscuit and maple syrup; returning to the glass minutes later sees a fruity edge develop - ripe mango, then fennel which adds freshness; yet another layer contributes dark chocolate, sweet cereals, spicy rye... quite stunning aromatic complexity. Entry is soft and silky, leading into a slow-motion explosion of off-dry, spicy rye flavours, cereals and vanillan oak. Exceptional length and concentration. Seamless integration. Finishes super clean, with a refreshing spearmint burst balancing the whole perfectly before a long cereal, toasty oak and vanilla aftertaste. Superlative stuff! One can only imagine how good this might be bottled at a higher ABV? 40% Alc./Vol.