Crown Royal - XR - Blue (LaSalle)
$129
Crown Royal – XR – Blue (LaSalle)
Proof: 80
Age: NAS
Distillery: Crown Royal – LaSalle Distillery
Type: Canadian Blended Whiskey
Mash: Unknown – Blended
Website: Crown Royal
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Wet Oak, Vanilla, Butterscotch, Rye Grains, Sweet Apple, & Apricot.
Taste/Palate: Medium heat for the low proof. Sweet notes with Caramel, Light Fruits – Apple and Pear, Vanilla, and Molasses. It’s mild on the spices with maybe a subtle touch of Cinnamon.
Finish: This has a very light finish. The mild heat remains and the flavors unwind. The light fruit comes forward first with Apple, Pear, and Apricot. You can pick up a little more of the Rye Spice with a hint of Malted Milk Balls. The finish and Alcohol sits on the tongue and back of the mouth for a long finish, which surprises given how light it is.
Verdict: Putting this head to head against the new version (non-LaSalle 18 year) the XR wins for me. It’s more balanced and there’s more going on. The flavors interact much better and there’s more complexity. The XR will be missed by many Crown fans as Crown ushers in a new age with their Crown Royal – Extra Rare – 18 year.
MSRP: BUY for a special occasion Price Ceiling: $200 (The most I’d pay for this bottle) – Only because it’s the last year for LaSalle
The Story: My good friend purchased this bottle for our annual golf trip. It was a treat for many of us that were in attendance at the trip. There was still over half of the bottle left following the trip (we decided to save the good stuff and binge on other spirits) and my friend sent me home with the remainder of the bottle because he knows my appreciation for a fine spirit. It wasn’t until a few months ago I realized that was the last version of the Crown Royal XR. I picked up a bottle of Crown Royal 18 year in hopes of finding another Crown Royal XR for my friend, but no avail. After doing research I found that XR is discontinued due to the last remaining product from the LaSalle Distillery being used up. LaSalle was responsible for the XR product.
Why am I reviewing the Crown Royal XR if it’s discontinued and the last batch literally said on the box “Handcrafted with the Final Batch of Rare Whiskies from the LaSalle Distillery”? Well, what better way to usher in the new Extra Rare version of the Crown Royal 18 than by comparing it to the counterpart it’s replacing.
The Distillery’s Story: Crown Royal started with the Royal Monarchs were visiting Canada in 1939. A Canadian Entrepreneur blended the finest of Canadian whiskies fit for a king and queen and developed the best of the best Canadian blend. There were approx. 50 different whiskies to create this Royal blend that was place in an etched glass decanter and wrapped in a purple bag. The blend was from then on known as Crown Royal.
Crown Royal distillery resides in Manitoba Canada. They blend 5 different Mash Bills through 12 different distillation columns to create their unique blends.
Head to Head: I mentioned in the verdict section that the XR is the “winner”. I believe that it brings more to the table and is less flat. If I had to choose between Crown XR, 18, Canadian Club 42, or 43. The decision is much harder. I think I’d go with the Canadian Club 43 on taste alone, but the price tag is a deterrent.
Current Premium Canadian Ranking:
1. Canadian Club – 43 Year
2. Crown Royal – XR – Blue (LaSalle)
3. Canadian Club – 42 Year (02)
4. Crown Royal – 18 Year
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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