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Last Updated on February 5, 2023 by Lydia Martin
When it comes to Canadian whisky, the classic Crown Royal’s sophisticated bottles are on top of our list.
The brand’s art of making its whisky lets you savor royalty in a bottle.
From its price to its significant tasting profile, you can find bottles and commendable whiskey similar to Crown Royal’s exceptional smoothness.
Keep reading and know the best alternative whiskeys to Crown Royal.
Top 15 Alternative Whiskeys To Crown Royal
15. CR Northern Harvest
Average Price: Around $33 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It: The Northern Harvest Rye is one of the signature series of Crown Royal.
It may not be the best whisky in the world, but we enjoyed its Crown Royal-like smooth flavors.
Although it has the signature velvety texture, you can expect the distinctive flavor of Canadian rye, present baking spices, spiced vanilla, and light pepper, with a creamy finish.
14. Monarch Blended Canadian Whisky
Average Price: Around $9 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Monarch Blended Canadian Whisky is one of the best ideal options if you’re on a tight budget but craving a blended Canadian whisky.
With an 80-proof and affordable price, you can expect a medium-bodied profile with a maple-forward taste, notes of honey, and caramel with a clean finish.
13. Redbreast 12-Yr
Average Price: Around $72 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Like Crown Royal, Redbreast 12-year-old uses malted and unmalted barley in its mash, but its whisky is triple distilled using a single pot still. [1]
Although Redbreast 12-year-old is more expensive, this Irish whisky holds full, complex flavor, having a harmonious balance of fruity and toasty notes on the palate.
12. Kirkland Signature Canadian Whisky
Average Price: Around $23 for 1.75L
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Kirkland Signature Canadian whisky’s tasting profile is comparable to Crown Royal, especially its sweet vanilla and maple notes.
At 1.75L, the price of around $23 is hard to beat for something decent and tasty Canadian whisky, making it a good alternative for a bottle of Crown Royal.
11. Woodford Reserve
Average Price: Around $35 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 45.2%
Why We Like It: Woodford Reserve has a blend of corn, rye, and barley in its mash, similar to Crown Royal.
This well-respected bourbon is smooth with an enjoyable taste and aroma.
At 90.4-proof, we find Woodford Reserve warm on the nose while having a full-tasting profile with a good balance of flavors on the palate.
10. Crown Royal XO
Average Price: Around $50 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: If you’re looking for entry-level-proof whisky with signature Crown Royal notes, the Crown Royal XO variant is an excellent alternative.
Even though it’s more expensive, you can expect an extra layer of rich and sweet dried fruit notes because each batch is finished in cognac casks.
9. Forty Creek Barrel Select
Average Price: Around $22 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: This ’Barrel Select’ whisky from Forty Creek is a Canadian whisky with a distinctive toasted oak aroma.
It has an undeniably sweet profile of honey, maple syrup, and butterscotch. Forty Creek makes an ideal substitute for Crown Royal bottles at an affordable price.
8. Bushmills Black Bush
Average Price: Around $35 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Bushmills Black Bush is made of an exceptional blend of whiskies, just like Crown Royal.
You’ll notice its more intense character on the palate. But Bushmills’ incredible smoothness balances all the spice notes.
7. Gentleman Jack
Average Price: Around $34 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Gentleman Jack is a flagship of Jack Daniel’s crafted making double charcoal mellowed Tennessee whiskey.
Although its price is slightly higher than Crown Royal, its exceptionally smooth profile makes it an ideal substitute bottle.
6. Alberta Premium
Average Price: Around $26 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Alberta Premium is a 100% Canadian rye whisky. Although Crown Royal is not a rye whiskey, it uses high rye in its mash.
“The water was not fit to drink. To make it palatable, we had to add whisky…”
– Winston Churchill, Stateman
Alberta Premium’s affordable price makes it a better option for Crown Royal.
5. Forty Creek Evolution
Average Price: Around $80 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It: The Evolution expression from Forty Creek is a limited edition release.
It has an extraordinary blend of barley, corn, and Canadian rye whiskies like Crown Royal.
You can expect a rounded profile full of toasted oak, sweet fruit notes, and vanilla notes with a lightly tannic finish.
4. Lot 40 Canadian Rye Whisky
Average Price: Around $35 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It: Lot 40 is another 100% Canadian rye whisky. Even though it has a bolder profile, rich oak notes and sweet vanilla balance the drink.
This whisky makes a perfect spicier alternative for Crown Royal bottles.
3. J.P. Wisers Rye
Average Price: Around $22 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: J.P. Wisers Rye is one of the budget option bottles for Crown Royal, and this Canadian whisky has a complex tasting profile.
You can enjoy the rye spices on your palate blended with notes of caramel, toffee, and subtle hints of green apple.
2. Pendleton Canadian Whisky
Average Price: Around $27 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Sweetness is a vital part of Pendleton’s profile, [2] and has a pleasing, rich, creamy palate similar to Crown Royal.
Aside from its undeniably sweet profile, this Canadian whisky will hit your palate with rye spice. But for its price, it’s a good deal compared with Crown Royal.
1. Crown Royal Black
Average Price: Around $34 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It: Since it’s one of Crown Royal’s signature series, Crown Royal Black has the smoothness and richness blend of Crown Royal’s Canadian whisky.
However, this whisky is blended at a higher proof making a bolder, creamier, and richer whisky profile with deeper bourbon notes.
FAQs
What American whiskey is similar to Crown Royal?
Gentleman Jack and Woodford Reserve are some American whiskeys similar to Crown Royal.
What’s a cheaper alternative to Crown Royal?
Monarch, Forty Creek Barrel Select, and J.P. Wisers Rye are cheaper bottle alternatives to Crown Royal.
Final Verdict
Crown Royal may be the benchmark for Canadian whisky, but you can still find alternative bottles in the market.
Budget-wise, you can try a bottle of Monarch Canadian Whisky.
But if you’re into a smooth and creamy profile like Crown Royal, go for Woodford Reserve, Bushmills, and Gentleman Jack.
Just in case you can’t find a bottle of Crown Royal, consider the list above in finding affordable or comparable bottles.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/technology/pot-still
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2022/02/26/leter-buck-why-you-should-explore-pendleton-canadian-whisky/
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
