Review by: Raygun

ZSolaris you crafty bastard. When I said throw some blinds my way, this is not what I expected! Can’t find too much about this, except for the fact that it’s made from all malted barley and distilled and aged in Canada. Initially tasted blind, with additional notes after the reveal in italics. Thanks obviously to zSolaris for the sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Crown Royal  

Bottler: Crown Royal     

Region/style: Canadian single malt whisky

ABV: 45% 

Age: NAS 

Cask type: No idea

Color: 1.1 tawny

Price: About $60

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Nose: A touch of smoke, I think. Brambles, berries, tobacco. Wine rather than sherry, if I had to guess. Quite a bit of oak. A leafy sort of smell, kind of green.  

Palate: Juicy, with a strange spice character. Aspects of Thai curry. Now I don’t think there’s any peat. In fact, is this even Scotch? A blend? Something odd is going on. Cranberries, raspberries, more oak. Some florals as well. There’s a char sort of flavor, but it’s not like peat. Pleasant caramel. A touch harsh, maybe from youth. A little like paint.

Finish: Very drying. Don’t think it can be a sherry cask. Brandy or wine, maybe. Tannic oak, grapes, fruit tea. Not peated (I think), but there’s a roasty kind of flavor. Wine cask influence seems likely. It does taste oaky for something probably young.     

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Guess: I’m really puzzled. Here’s what I’m fairly sure about. It’s not peated, around 15 years old, and some kind of unusual cask. Wine or brandy, most likely. In fact, it’s pretty brandy-like overall, though I don’t think it is. May well not be Scotch though. Not much malt character. Wouldn’t be shocked if it were a blend. Let’s say low 50s ABV. 

Post-reveal thoughts: Well, slap my ass and call me Sally. Had no clue what this was, and it turns out to be Canadian single malt. NAS, no less. Sure does taste oaky, but not doubt it’s much younger than I thought. It was something not Scotch and weird; at least I got that right.      

Conclusion: This was a big surprise. Didn’t even know Crown made a single malt. I’ve had worse, I can say that. It’s a little odd and probably could use some more age. Not really serious competition for good Scotch, though probably stacks up OK against the basic Glens. Wouldn’t be something I’d seek out. 

Score: 69

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Kavalan Solist Manzanilla)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Amrut Peated CS)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Taketsuru Pure Malt)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Bushmills 10 Malt)
• 0-49: Blech.