Whisky: Crown Royal Winter Wheat Limited 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 white oak
Price Range: $$

Crown Royal (CR) is a brand of Canadian Whisky produced in the 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 brand entered the U.S. market in the 1960s and has become the top-selling Canadian Whisky in the USA. The cut-glass decanter and regal purple bag with gold stitching make Crown Royal’s expressions stand out on the shelves from competing brands. According to the website, there are approximately 50 whiskies in the Crown Royal blend.

The Story of Seagram’s

Seagram’s was a multi-national company owned by the Bronfman family founded in 1857, becoming a public company in 1928 under the name Distillers Corporation-Seagrams Ltd. Headquarters in Montreal, Quebec. The company owned several distilleries, including one in Waterloo, Ontario, and another in Gimli, Manitoba.

In 1924 the company obtained the rights to distribute renowned Scotch brands such as Haig, Black & White, Dewar’s, and Vat 69 after selling 50% of its share to the Distillers Company Limited (a.k.a. DCL) from Scotland.

The company grew during the prohibition era (1920–33) by exporting alcohol to the United States legally until 1930 and turning to bootleg afterward. By the end of prohibition, Seagram held the largest private stock of aged whisky in the world. The branding focused on blending and selling by the bottle, a revolutionary concept at the time.

In the 60s the company expanded rapidly into winemaking, oil, and coil and established its core portfolio of brands: Seven Crown, Crown Royal, Seagram’s V.O., and Chivas Regal (acquired in 1949). At the end of 1965, the company had operations in 119 countries and sales exceeding $1 billion.

The 70s and 80s were not particularly favorable to whisky sales due to the rise in popularity of clear spirits. However, the company managed the change well when it acquired the distribution right of Absolut Vodka, which accounted for 60% of vodka imports in the USA.

The Gimli distillery started operations in 1968 to produce whisky for Seagram’s V.O. brand while the Waterloo distillery focused on producing whisky for the Crown Royal brand. As demand dropped in the 1980s in favor of clear “healthy” spirits, the company decided to move the production of Crown Royal to Gimli and close the Waterloo distillery in 1992.

In the early 90s, the company entered the entertainment industry when it acquired 15% of Time Warner only to sell its shares in 1998. In 1995 Seagram’s purchased MCA Inc, which included Music Entertainment Group (Universal Music Group), and Universal theme parks, among other companies.

In 2000 the company sold to French conglomerate Vivendi, who retained Seagram’s entertainment and communications division but sold its distilling interests to Pernod Ricard and Diageo.

Today the ownership of brands is the following:

• Crown Royal (Diageo)
• Chivas Regal (Pernod Ricard)
• Seagram’s VO, and Seagram’s Seven Crown (Sazerac purchased both brands from Diageo in 2018)

Gimli Distillery Highlights

• 80% of the grain (corn, barley, and rye) comes from local farmers.
• Five recipes (mash bills) and twelve distillation columns produce multiple flavor profile combinations used in the blends.
• Long fermentations (76 hours) of flavoring whiskey to develop the fruit flavors from the mash.
• Gimli produces several types of whisky. Base corn whisky from column stills, base corn whisky from batch (first distillation in beer still and second distillation in a hybrid still), bourbon (only one distillation in beer still), rye flavoring whisky, rye whisky from batch (first distillation in beer still and second distillation in hybrid still).
• Crown Royal’s core whisky is base whisky from multiple column stills (1st distillation in beer still plus three distillations in columns stills)
• New and re-used charred oak barrels.
• All flavoring whisky at Gimli is aged in new oak resulting in vanilla, and caramel flavors.

The core range Signature series includes:

• Crown Royal Deluxe. The best-selling whisky of the core range and the flagship of the brand. Expect soft butterscotch sweetness balanced with some bitterness. Bottled at 40% ABV.
• Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. Expect syrupy sweetness and spice. Traditional Canadian rye. Bottled at 45% ABV.
• Crown Royal Black. A bit more robust flavor than the Deluxe version due to a higher proportion of whiskies aged in heavily charred, new oak barrels (i.e., bourbon style). Bottled at 45% ABV.
• Crown Royal Blender’s Mash. Originally named “Bourbon Mash”, the blend intends to achieve a Bourbon flavor profile known for vanilla and oak spices. Bottled at 40% ABV.

Crown Royal Winter Wheat is the sixth expression of the Noble Collection. A limited edition expression made from wheat (51%), corn (39%), and malted barley (10%). Aged in charred American oak and bottled at 45% ABV.

Tasting Notes for Crown Royal Winter Wheat Limited Edition

Nose: Cinnamon, vanilla, and spices. A bourbon type of nose. The oak aroma is very prominent and inviting.

Palate: Rich and creamy arrival of cinnamon, caramel, and vanilla. Soft texture. The sharpness of the corn never overwhelms the palate because the softness of the wheat serves as a cushion. Light-bodied and very enjoyable.

Finish: Long, soft, and sweet with a bitter licorice note.

Conclusion: Crown Royal Winter Wheat Limited Edition is a whisky with a personality that took me back to flavors found in W. L. Weller Antique 107, a beautiful wheated bourbon. However, the nose of Winter Wheat is richer in oak and more impressive. The palate is creamy enough to pair this blend with your favorite dessert. This is a solid Canadian blend. Try it and let me know your thoughts. Cheers!

Score: 4.25/5⭐

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