Crown Royal Texas style

[squire]

Just noticed this:

http://stylemagazine.com/news/2014/dec/18/crown-royal-single-barrel-whisky-hand-selected-tex/

any thoughts?

[portwood]

A bloody MIRACLE!

a single barrel Canadian Whisky from an established producer at high strength!

its about f#c/ing time!

[Mr. Bourbon]

I can find every crown royal brand at my local liquor store...and I'll pass!

[wmpevans]

"Bottled straight from the barrel."

Amazing how it all comes out at 103 proof.

[portwood]

I can find every crown royal brand at my local liquor store...and I'll pass!

[mbroo5880i]

From the description this is unlike any other Crown Royal* on the market:

- single barrel

- high proof

- not a blend - it is one of the components ( ie what is referred to as "flavouring whisky") or the GOOD STUFF that goes into typical Cdn Whisky

- new wood (not re-used cooperage as is typical of most whisky matured in Canada (and Most other whisky producing countries for that matter)

IMO, this is a huge development. The Canadian industry has lagged behind for a long time.

*or 99.9% of other Canadian whiskies for that matter.

[GaryT]

From the description this is unlike any other Crown Royal* on the market:

- single barrel

- high proof

- not a blend - it is one of the components ( ie what is referred to as "flavouring whisky") or the GOOD STUFF that goes into typical Cdn Whisky

- new wood (not re-used cooperage as is typical of most whisky matured in Canada (and Most other whisky producing countries for that matter)

IMO, this is a huge development. The Canadian industry has lagged behind for a long time.

*or 99.9% of other Canadian whiskies for that matter.

[Harry in WashDC]

At MSRP $55 a 750ml, I'll try it.

[squire]

According to Davin the Gimli Coffey still produces a low ABV distillate all of which is aged in new charred oak barrels.

[portwood]

According to Davin the Gimli Coffey still produces a low ABV distillate all of which is aged in new charred oak barrels.

So, similar to an American "straight"?

[squire]

As a matter of fact, yes.

[Paddy]

This is an exiting development that I'd be glad to drink to!:drink:

[squire]

This whisky is apparently the backbone of the Crown blends.

[Gillman]

It all sounds good, I don't get the jazz about "Coffey" since it is apparently a column still, not the older pot-still type, but distillation at a low proof sounds like they are giving us the flavouring element of the CR blend, or one of them (I think there are two).

I don't get the connection to Texas, but the byways of international marketing are often mysterious..

Look forward to trying it.

Gary

[tanstaafl2]

Sounds like Diageo has borrowed a page from Nikka and their Coffey Grain whiskey, although that one is reportedly corn, not rye.

I would be interested in trying it if I got the chance.

[portwood]

Sounds like Diageo has borrowed a page from Nikka and their Coffey Grain whiskey, although that one is reportedly corn, not rye.

This is reportedlyalso corn ( 64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% barley malt, to be exact)

some of the "flavouring" Canadian whiskies are distilled and aged as single grains and blended for bottling. This one appears to be distilled from a mash similar to bourbon (another characteristic that makes it appear it fulfils the criteria of a "straight", other than being made in the USA of course)

Edited January 6, 2015 by portwood

[Harry in WashDC]

The more I read about this, the more interested I become. Thanks for doing my research for me.:cool:

[tanstaafl2]

This is reportedlyalso corn ( 64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% barley malt, to be exact)

some of the "flavouring" Canadian whiskies are distilled and aged as single grains and blended for bottling. This one appears to be distilled from a mash similar to bourbon (another characteristic that makes it appear it fulfils the criteria of a "straight", other than being made in the USA of course)

Yes, I think the Nikka could probably qualify as bourbon except for the whole "Made in Japan" thing! Not sure of the exact mashbill but it is mostly corn with some malted barley. Although I also not sure if it is aged in new or used oak or some combination.

I do know it is quite good!

[sailor22]

The Nikka Coffee still malt whiskey is the better of the two IMHO. Not currently imported to the US unfortunately.

[wadewood]

I don't get the connection to Texas, but the byways of international marketing are often mysterious..

Gary

For some reason, Texans drink a huge amount of Canadian whiskey. We even have a Crown Royal knock off called Texas Crown that is huge a seller. BT test marketed a version of Charter that came in a velvet bag in Texas. Forty Creek limited stuff is sometimes released only in Canada and Texas.

[GaryT]

So . . . when is someone from TX going to get us some tasting notes on this? I've got a business trip (day trip) to Dallas in two weeks, and may see if I can fit a quick stop in to grab a bottle. I saw one chain had is for under $50 (not saying where in the hopes they still have a couple in two weeks though!!)

[Gillman]

Reading what Davin wrote in the linked piece and his reply to one of the comments, my interpretation is that despite the same or a similar mash bill, Diageo uses two flavouring whiskeys - essentially straights in U.S. terms, to blend CR. One is the rye, one the "bourbon", colloquially named as Davin points out. The rye, which is the one bottled for the Texas retailers (thanks, Wade for that info), is distilled in a Coffey still, which is an early form of continuous still. The other, the "bourbon", is distilled in a "beer still" which is probably a two-column, more modern continuous still. I'd guess the "bourbon" is distilled out at a higher proof than the other, which explains the difference Davin explains in their character.

I believe 3 remaining whiskies are used to blend regular CR and are all grain whiskies (distilled at a high proof).

That is how I understand it, perhaps I'm wrong, and if so pleased to know the final lowdown.

Gary

[Paddy]

The mashbill, as described above, just adds fuel to my fire/desire to get on this bus and take a little trip.

[wadewood]

OK, I just bought a bottle of this and tried a small pour. I like it. It has the spiciness of Rye but it's more of a cinnamon note than a minty flavor. $46 bucks - well worth it and I'll be adding some to my bunker.

[squire]

Is this a rye or a high rye? If I read Davin's notes correctly from other references he's written the Gimli Coffey still product is made from a mashbill of 65% corn, 30% rye and 5% malted barley, which sounds suspiciously close to Old Grand Dad.