Last Updated on March 5, 2024 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (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.
What’s a good substitute for Crown Royal?
A suitable substitute for Crown Royal largely depends on individual taste preferences, but popular alternatives could include Canadian whiskies like Forty Creek or Canadian Club, which offer a comparable smoothness and versatility in cocktails, or American blended whiskies such as Seagram’s 7 Crown, known for their approachable profiles.
What style of whiskey is Crown Royal?
Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky, distinct in its production methods and flavor profile.
Canadian whiskies, including Crown Royal, are typically characterized by their smoothness, lightness, and a high degree of blend flexibility, often incorporating a variety of grains in the mash bill, resulting in a versatile and approachable spirit.
Is Jack Daniel’s the same as Crown Royal?
No, Jack Daniel’s and Crown Royal are distinct whiskies from different countries with unique production processes.
Jack Daniel’s is an American Tennessee whiskey known for its charcoal mellowing process, while Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky recognized for its smoothness and blend flexibility.
Each has its own distinct flavor profile and characteristics, making them distinct choices for whiskey enthusiasts.
Is Crown Royal a top-shelf whiskey?
Crown Royal is often considered a premium or mid-tier whisky, falling into a category that offers quality and distinctiveness without reaching the highest price points of top-shelf whiskies.
Its popularity, packaging, and the wide range of expressions contribute to its premium status, appealing to a broad spectrum of consumers seeking a balance of quality and affordability.
Is Crown Royal a whiskey or scotch?
Crown Royal is a whisky, specifically a Canadian whisky, distinguished by its production methods and regulatory requirements.
While often used interchangeably, the term “whisky” applies broadly to the spirit category, encompassing various styles like Scotch whisky, bourbon, and Canadian whisky.
Scotch, on the other hand, refers specifically to whisky produced in Scotland, adhering to distinct production standards and regional characteristics. Therefore, Crown Royal is correctly labeled as Canadian whisky rather than Scotch.
Is Crown Royal a sweet whiskey?
Crown Royal is often perceived as having a slightly sweet profile, characterized by notes of vanilla, caramel, and fruit, making it appealing to those who enjoy whiskies with a touch of sweetness.
The smoothness of Crown Royal contributes to a well-balanced flavor, with the sweetness complemented by subtle spice and oak undertones.
Why do people drink Crown Royal?
People choose Crown Royal for various reasons, including its smooth and approachable taste, versatility in cocktails, and the prestige associated with the brand.
Whether sipped neat, on the rocks, or used in cocktails, Crown Royal’s diverse range of expressions provides options for different preferences, making it a popular choice for both casual drinkers and whisky enthusiasts alike.
Is Crown Royal a smooth whiskey?
Crown Royal is renowned for its smooth and velvety texture, a hallmark of many Canadian whiskies.
The production process, including the meticulous blending of various grains and the use of a high-quality distillate, contributes to Crown Royal’s smoothness.
This characteristic makes it an ideal choice for those seeking an easy-drinking whisky that can be enjoyed on its own or in mixed drinks.
Is Crown Royal a brandy or cognac?
No, Crown Royal is not a brandy or cognac; it is a Canadian whisky.
Brandies are distilled from fermented fruit juices, while cognac is a specific type of brandy produced in the Cognac region of France and adhering to strict regulations.
Crown Royal, on the other hand, is made from a blend of grain whiskies, offering a distinct flavor profile that sets it apart from brandies and cognacs.
Is Crown Royal a real whiskey?
Yes, Crown Royal is indeed a real whiskey. As a Canadian whisky, it meets the legal and regulatory requirements for the production and classification of whisky.
The brand has garnered international acclaim, solidifying its status as a legitimate and respected player in the world of whiskies.
Crown Royal’s various expressions showcase the craftsmanship and dedication to quality that define real whiskies in the global spirits market.
Final Verdict: Whiskey Similar to Crown Royal
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.
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