Crown Royal XR Red, 40% ABV, $175 CAD.
This expression contains “the last remaining batch of rare whiskies saved from the legendary Waterloo Distillery before it was destroyed by fire”.
- Nose: Really nice apple, peach, and pear combo. Thick caramel, and a slight rye spiciness.
- Taste: Apple and under-ripe pear, more caramel but it’s thinner here.
- Finish: Medium length. Big vanilla hit, caramel and rye spice linger.
- Thoughts: Probably one of the best noses I’ve had on a Canadian whisky. All the notes are quite well balanced, unfortunately the palate and finish don’t match it. The rich flavors you breath in really thin out when you drink. 40% ABV does it no favors. It’s a shame cause this could have been something really nice. Not much complexity either, typical Canadian profile. The bottle/bag/box are all top-shelf, but $175 (when these were available) does not equate to what you’re getting in the bottle.
- Score: 82 – 2.5 value point(s) = 79.5/100
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Scores:
After my initial score I add or subtract points relative on how I perceive value (based on what I paid for the bottle). A zero value means I think the price is justified.
0-69.5 – Don’t bother trying, life is too short for bad spirit.
70-79.5 – Worth trying, but you’re not missing out if you don’t.
80-84.5 – I recommend trying.
85-87.5 – Definitely try this!
88-92.5 – I recommend buying a bottle blind!
93-95.5 – Stuff you reserve for special pours!
96+ – The meaning of life.
My previous scores (excluding value points):
Amrut Spectrum 004 87.5
Ardbeg 10 88.0
Ardbeg An Oa 89.0
Ardbeg Corryvrickan 91.5
Ardbeg Kelpie 91.5
Ardbeg Uigeadail 90.0
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel – Sherry 89.0
Blanton’s Gold 86.5
Booker’s (2015-01) 89.5
Bowmore 12 83.5
Bowmore Devil’s Casks 3 87.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 92.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 93.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1 90.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.3 90.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 8.1 88.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 8.3 91.5
Canadian Club 40 86.5
Caol Ila 12 82.5
Compass Box – Enlightenment 88.0
Compass Box – Peat Monster 84.5
Crown Royal XR Red 82.0
Eagle Rare 10 83.5
Elmer T. Lee 87.0
Glendronach 12 Original 84.0
Glendronach 15 Revival 90.0
Glendroanch 18 Allardice 90.0
Glendronach 21 Parliament 91.0
Glenfarclas 17 88.0
Glenfarclas 25 92.0
Hakushu 12 86.5
Highland Park 15 87.0
Highland Park 25 92.0
Jack Daniel’s SB-BP (16-0574) 89.0
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (57.8) 87.5
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan) 93.0
Kavalan Solist – Port Cask (KavaFan) 92.0
Kavalan Solist – Sherry Cask (58.7%) 90.5
Kavalan Solist – Vinho Barrique (57%) 89.5
Lagavulin 16 90.0
Laphroaig 10 86.0
Laphroaig Cairdeas Madeira 2016 87.5
Lot No. 40 86.0
Lot No. 40 Cask Strength 12yr 89.0
Macallan 12 Double Cask 80.0
Macallan 12 Fine Oak 84.0
Macallan 17 Fine Oak 88.0
Macallan 18 Fine Oak 86.0
Macallan 10 Sherry 85.5
Macallan 12 Sherry 86.5
Macallan 18 Sherry (1997) 92.5
Macallan Cask Strength 58.2% 94.0
Macallan Classsic Cut 2017 85.5
Macallan Edition 2 90.0
Macallan Edition 3 89.0
Orphan Barrel – Barterhouse 88.0
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr 93.5
Sazerac Rye 86.0
Stagg Jr. (Batch 4) 83.0
Talisker 25 89.0
W.L. Weller 12 85.0
William Larue Weller (2017) 91.0
Yamazaki 12 89.0
Toronto Whisky Society 
what do you think of Crown Royal northern harvest. I am not a big rye drinker but when I went across the border I would buy Crown Royal XR Waterloo red. I stopped drinking it and will leave the 22 bottles of it to my kids when I die. But not until then it was just a hobby buying it because I git them down to $115 and $107 US and I like the presentation. Being a non rye drinker the little I had was smooth and I didn’t need mix which is unusual for me.
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Hey C Logan, Do you have any red boxes left over? I have an unopened one that the box was damaged
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Hi, I know this is an old post but I am looking for the XR Waterloo for a anniversary gift. Do you have any available?
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Is anyone selling?
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I have an unopened bottle of Crown Royal XR. In sealed original packaging including the protective cardboard shipping sleeve. I am interested in selling it if the offer is right.
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i am looking for 2-3 bottles of Crown XR, anyone have some to sell? Christmas present.
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If anyone is still looking I have a few for sale
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