Crown Royal is neither a Scotch nor a bourbon. It is a Canadian whisky produced by Diageo at the Crown Royal distillery in Gimli, Manitoba. Here is a quick overview of what makes Crown Royal different from Scotch and bourbon:
Difference from Scotch
Scotch is whisky made in Scotland, aged in oak barrels for at least 3 years. The key differences between Crown Royal and Scotch include:
- Origin – Crown Royal is from Canada, Scotch is from Scotland
- Raw materials – Crown Royal uses corn in addition to barley, Scotch uses only malted barley
- Distillation – Crown Royal is distilled using a continuous column still, Scotch uses pot stills
- Aging – Crown Royal uses used bourbon barrels, Scotch uses new oak barrels
So while Crown Royal shares some similarities with Scotch, such as being aged in oak barrels, it does not meet the legal requirements to be called a Scotch whisky.
Difference from Bourbon
Bourbon is an American whiskey made from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. The key differences between Crown Royal and bourbon include:
- Origin – Crown Royal is from Canada, bourbon is from the US
- Main grain – Crown Royal uses rye as the secondary grain, bourbon uses corn
- Barrels – Crown Royal uses used bourbon barrels, bourbon requires new barrels
- Additives – Crown Royal adds small amounts of flavorings, bourbon cannot contain additives besides water
So while Crown Royal is aged in used bourbon barrels, giving it some similar flavor notes, it does not meet the legal definition of a straight bourbon whiskey.
What is Crown Royal?
Since Crown Royal does not fit into the Scotch or bourbon categories, here is a brief overview of what defines this popular Canadian whisky brand:
- Made in Canada at the Crown Royal distillery in Gimli, Manitoba
- Primary grains are corn, rye, and malted barley
- Distilled using column stills, not pot stills like Scotch
- Aged in used bourbon barrels for around 9 years
- Blends together whiskies from over 50 warehouses
- Flavorings like dried fruits and vanilla are added before bottling
- Crown Royal Deluxe is the standard expression, others like Northern Harvest use different barrels
So in summary, Crown Royal is a distinctly Canadian whisky that borrows some techniques from Scotch and bourbon traditions but does not fit neatly into either category. It is its own unique spirits product that has become popular worldwide.
Crown Royal Products
Here is an overview of some of the main products in the Crown Royal portfolio:
| Product | Details |
|---|---|
| Crown Royal Deluxe | The standard Crown Royal expression, aged 9 years |
| Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye | Made using a mashbill of over 90% rye, aged in new oak barrels |
| Crown Royal Reserve | Aged 10 years, includes whiskeys aged 13-16 years for extra smoothness |
| Crown Royal XO | Aged in cognac casks and includes extra old whiskies up to 20 years old |
| Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel | Various special releases chosen from single barrels |
FAQs
Is Crown Royal gluten free?
Yes, Crown Royal products are gluten free. They do not contain any barley, wheat, or rye that has not been distilled, which removes the gluten.
What is the alcohol percentage of Crown Royal?
The standard Crown Royal Deluxe has an alcohol percentage of 40% ABV (80 proof). Some other expressions like XO are higher at 44% ABV (88 proof).
Where are Crown Royal barrels made?
Crown Royal uses used bourbon barrels sourced from distilleries in the United States. Bourbon is required to be aged in new, charred American oak barrels.
Does Crown Royal have carbs?
No, Crown Royal does not contain any carbohydrates, sugars, or nutritional value. As a distilled spirit, it is made up of water, ethanol alcohol, and some flavorings.
Conclusion
In summary, Crown Royal is a unique Canadian whisky brand that borrows some techniques from Scotch and bourbon but does not fit squarely into either category. It is distilled, aged, and blended differently from those whiskies and has become popular worldwide as a result of its distinctive production process and flavor profile. While it may seem similar to Scotch or bourbon at first glance, Crown Royal stands in a class of its own as a leading Canadian whisky.