Whisky: Crown Royal Barley Edition Noble Collection
Producer: Diageo
Distillery: Gimli Distillery
Whisky Type: Blended Canadian Whisky
Age: Non-Age Statement (NAS)
Region: Manitoba, Canada
ABV: 45%
Aged in Cask: American oak
Price Range: $$
Crown Royal (CR) is a brand of Canadian Whisky produced by Gimli distillery on the shores of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba and the best-selling Canadian Whisky, made in honor of the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada in 1939. The visit was the first of any crowned British monarch to North America.
The Crown Royal Barley Edition is a Canadian Blend, the 7th and final limited release of the Noble Collection made from malted barley, unmalted barley, and rye. Aged charred American oak and bottled at 45% ABV.
The Noble Collection is a multi-award-winning series that pays tribute to King George VI. The series has seven annual releases and highlights the different components that go into the original Crown Royal Blend. The series started in 2016 and ends in 2023. Here are the whiskies from Noble Collection:
- Crown Royal Cornerstone showcases fruit and caramel with a rich texture.
- Crown Royal Wine Barrel Finish showcases flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon from California.
- Crown Royal Blender’s Mash showcases vanilla and oak notes.
- Crown Royal French Oak Finish showcases the core vanilla and oak flavors from Crown Royal DeLuxe with a twist by finishing the blend in toasted French oak from Vosges Forrest in France. These casks are charred and impart a peppery and slightly bitter note to a vanilla and cinnamon whisky to balance things out.
- Crown Royal 16 Year-Old showcases bold and spicy flavors from the rye with CR’s core vanilla, anise, and dried fruits.
- Crown Royal Winter Wheat showcases the core flavors of Canadian blends with a rich texture and flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel notes. You can check my review here.
- Crown Royal Barley Edition is the final release. See tasting notes.
Tasting Notes for Crown Royal Barley Edition Noble Collection
Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, and oak aromas.
Palate: The arrival is sweet caramel with plenty of cinnamon, sweet malt, and vanilla, developing fast into pepper, clove, and oak spices. There is a good balance between the sweet and spicy notes imparted by the toasted oak. I tried to find the malted barley (Scotch/Irish flavor) but did not find it, which is not disappointing.
Finish: Long and warm. A spicy and oaky finish. Yummy!
Conclusion: A lovely Canadian Whisky that brings the toasted oak to complement the baking spice flavors known in Canadian Whisky. A very well-executed blend that once again flies under the radar in the South East of the USA. Those who appreciate sweet and spicy flavor profiles should try this. Cheers!
You can see more tasting notes and pics on my Instagram.
Score: 4.25/5⭐
Legend
$50 or less $
$51-$100 $$
$101-$150 $$$
$151 or more $$$$
