I fell for the hype and allowed my curiosity to override my good sense.......I purchased the Crown Royal XR (for extra rare) at $150 minus a small discount. I compared it against the other Crown Royals, the Special Reserve, and the regular Crown Royal.
CROWN ROYAL
Nose: Mild oak, vanilla, some citrus, leather, and rye notes that are pleasant and unassuming.....it is not bourbon!
Taste: Of a piece with the nose.......mild oak, vanilla sweetness, citrus, a touch of rye spice.........again unassuming and.....not bourbon!
Finish: As you would expect from the nose and the taste..........a mild finish that is fairly short but like CR, not bad. I know some CR drinkers and I can understand its appeal, but it will never be my preferred whiskey.
Comments: Not a bad whiskey by any means.......smooth and drinkable, but better is easily found.
CROWN ROYAL SPECIAL RESERVE
Nose: Oak, vanilla, orange, brown sugar, rye, and clover in respectable quantities..........this is more like it!
Taste: Richer, spicier, definitely more viscous than his younger brother, he has become a teenager and thinks he is better than he is.... can't play in the Big Leagues yet, but he has potential. My opinion is that the CR lovers 'should' like CRSR better, but who knows? It is a better whiskey!
Finish: A nice thick finish that is moderately long and quite satisfactory.
Comment: A definite step up from the regular CR......it is richer, more complex, long lasting and quite good..........next year, a rookie in the Majors!
CROWN ROYAL XR (EXTRA RARE)
Nose: Subtle, with vanilla, leather, apricots, flowers, rye spice, dry oak, orange, and toasted marshmellows. Reminds me of Hirsch 16 YO in its maturity and sublety. Not AllStar, but no rookie!
Taste: Viscous sweetness, followed by a spice complement that maintains a delicacy that is impressive. What distinguishes a 'great' spirit from a good or exceptional spirit? I have my own ideas, and one of them is delicacy and subtleness.
In my pantheon, Pappy 20 has it, some Cognacs (Pierre Ferrand Selection de Anges) have it, some Scotchs have it (McCallen Fine Oak 15 YO, and in its peculiar way Laguvulin 16 YO, and Highland Park Scotchs), that 'something special' that crosses the boundaries and lives in a 'spirit world'. These, by my lights, are the world's great spirits. Who the hell am I to hold forth like this, you say.............well, shit, say I, why not?
I think CRXR reached for the stars and made it. I report to you that it lives in that nether world of the 'great spirits'. It is very, very, smooth ('proof' is a non-starter in this world), it has a great balance between the sweetness, the dry oak, and the spice.........I have found that a short sip followed quickly by another sip gives it its due.
The question is bound to come up............'Is it worth it?'...........And, the answer is, 'I dont'know!" I suspect that for most people the resounding answer is 'NO'..........and all evidence agrees with this answer.
It is only a handfull of idiots such as myself who will contend that this spirt is 'special' and we will be justifiably laughed from the scene. BE brothers and sisters, my own 'spirit' is content with things as they are!
How, and why, should I ever defend my own tastes..............ah, me friends, there is where our beloved BE, and our reviews, play out their little game!! Now, tell me you don't love it..........for I surely do!!!