Whisky Review/Tasting: Crown Royal Maple

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with the spirit distilled at the Gimli plant of Diageo near Lake Winnipeg.
Type: Canadian Whisky, specifically a flavored whisky with maple.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Not explicitly detailed, but it is noted that the whisky is finished with "maple toasted oak," which is somewhat misleading as the primary flavoring comes from the addition of maple syrup rather than the wood itself.
Age Statement: Not provided.
Color and Clarity: Not described, but the emphasis is on the flavoring rather than the visual aspects.
Bottle Design: The bottle maintains the standard Crown Royal design, but with a brown bag instead of the traditional royal blue, symbolizing maple. The label includes the Imperial Crown atop a blue cushion, indicating its royal connections.

Balance of Flavors: Dominated by sweet maple syrup, vanilla, and caramel notes, with a hint of oak in the aftertaste.
Unique Characteristics: The addition of maple syrup is the standout feature, making it significantly sweeter than traditional whiskies and leaning towards a liqueur profile, although it is classified as a flavored whisky due to Canadian regulations.
Comparison: Not directly compared to other whiskies, but its sweetness and maple flavoring set it apart from traditional, unflavored whiskies.

Anecdotes: The reviewer reminisces about trekking through the countryside in Canada and the Northeast United States, encountering maple syrup production directly from the trees, which this whisky reminds him of.
Trivia: The name "Crown Royal" and the use of the crown symbol relate to Queen Elizabeth II, with the brand possibly originating around the time of her coronation in 1953.

Maple Syrup: The use of maple syrup as a flavoring agent ties the whisky to Canadian national identity, symbolized by the maple leaf on the Canadian flag.
Regulations: The review touches on Canadian whisky regulations, allowing up to 9.09% of flavoring to be added to whisky, contrasting with stricter rules in countries like Scotland and the US.

Personal Opinion: The reviewer, Horst Luening, expresses a general dislike for liqueurs due to their sweetness but acknowledges the quality of the maple flavoring.
Quote: "This is not maple wood not finished in maple wood this is maple syrup added to a whiskey so this is a whiskey liqueur for my personal well meaning."

Crown Royal Maple is a Canadian flavored whisky, distinguished by its addition of maple syrup.
It comes in a full liter bottle with a brown bag, symbolizing its maple content.
The whisky is sweet, with dominant flavors of maple syrup, vanilla, and caramel, and a hint of oak.
The use of maple ties it to Canadian identity, and it adheres to Canadian regulations allowing for flavored whisky.
The reviewer is not a fan of its liqueur-like sweetness but appreciates the maple flavor.

Sweet Tooth Enthusiasts: Individuals who enjoy sweet beverages and are perhaps more inclined towards liqueurs than traditional whiskies.
Canadian Whisky Aficionados: Those interested in exploring the unique flavors that Canadian whiskies have to offer, especially those that incorporate national symbols like maple.
Novice Whisky Drinkers: Newcomers to whisky who might find the sweetness more approachable than the complexity of traditional whiskies.