Crown Royal 31 Year Old Canadian Whisky Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: A-

Crown Royal, Canada’s top whisky-maker, wound down 2024 with its biggest bang, which is saying something after the release of their first single malt: their oldest expression to date, Crown Royal 31 Year Old. Ultra-aged liquor always puts life into perspective. As I type this, I can see a bottle of Dow 40 Year Old Tawny Port. When that was put into wood, I was the same age my son is now. Likewise, the youngest whiskies used to make Crown Royal 31 Year Old date all the way back to when I was in the closing stage of my undergraduate studies, the European Union was formalized and David Koresh led his followers to their doom in Waco, Texas.

I write “whiskies” there because it is important to remember how Canadian whisky is made. Typically, a Canadian distiller makes a series of one-grain whiskies, which are aged in both new and used barrels. This practice builds up a diverse palette of whiskies to draw upon in blending and batching an expression. Canadian whisky is synonymous with rye because rye is the bulk grain used in the industry, but corn, wheat and (as we saw above) malt whiskies matured in new and used oak are all on tap, which is to say nothing of the yeasts and other tweaks on the production process that could be utilized.

Crown Royal does not comment on formulation, either for this or its staple expression. Other than being 31 years old minimum, the only thing we know for sure about this Canadian whisky is that its 46% ABV.

The Whisky
First, a comment on the packaging. Although reminiscent of the standard Crown Royal — it too comes in a purple velvet sack — the presentation is a full step up. The glass bottle is more stylish and ornate, topped with a cork and glass stopper. At first thought, one might find it understated or even under-suited for a 31 year old bottling, but wait until you see the price point: the package is entirely appropriate to those numbers.

The pour had a mid-amber coloring in the glass. The scent runs with toffee apple and baking spices coupled to dry grass, but that scent is not a strong one and it takes a good bit of nosing to develop all that. The flavor is more present. It’s silky sweet with pears plus mint, pine and vanilla, and a splinter of old, hoary wood that rises up on the back end. That turns over into sandalwood on the finish. It’s a sophisticated, evolving drinking experience that you can enjoy either by casually sipping on it or giving it your full attention and considering the whisky’s nuances.

The Price
This item is a limited edition and priced at $600 a bottle. It’s unclear if it will ever be made available again, but even if it is, consider that price point, the quality and the age statement. Yes, I think there are better whiskies available that cost far less, but with a 30something year age statement? If you’re the type of drinker who just has to have something quite old on your shelf, this is a pretty reasonable buy if you can find it at the recommended price.