Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 13 Years Review

When Crown Royal first launched this whiskey as the Bourbon Mash they got in hot water with bourbon enthusiasts for using the term Bourbon despite the TTB approving the label. This release, the Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 13 Years, is part of the new Canadian releases being touted as Canada’s “challenge to bourbon” which is an interesting thought.

Crown Royal Blender's Mash 13 Years

There is a long history of Canada and Bourbon and ownership of distilleries and even some old bottles of Canadian Straight Bourbon. So it’s not exactly a new concept and it’s also obvious, based on the age of the whiskey alone, they could have been competing with bourbon, on aroma and flavor, for a while, but chose not to.

It’s obvious Crown Royal has the capability to create a bourbon-like whiskey, but will it be a focus to capitalize on the current bourbon craze? If they did, could it possibly make a severe impact on the US bourbon market? Would that shift be at a detriment to their existing blended whisky business? Only time will tell.

Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 13 Years Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Crown Royal Blender's Mash 13 Years is basically a bourbon made in Canada and aged for 13 years.

In Crown Royal’s Words: Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 13 Years

“Crown Royal Blenders’ Mash showcases the warm vanilla and subtle oaky notes of our beloved corn-heavy whiskies. Blender’s Mash showcase a classic whisk(e)y style but with the famous smooth finish, allowing the whisky to stand on its own”

Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 13 Years price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Canada

Distiller: Crown Royal
Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 45%

Price: $60*

Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 13 Years Tasting Notes

EYE
Caramel

NOSE
Roasted corn, oak, dried dark fruit, cinnamon, char, Smarties, brown sugar and a bit of nuts, citrus and vanilla.

PALATE
Caramel, vanilla, oak, cinnamon, dried dark fruit, roasted nuts, burnt marshmallow and some citrus.

FINISH
Med -> Caramel, oak, cinnamon and char.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, round body and a robust oily feel.

Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 13 Years Review: OVERALL

Crown Royal Blender's Mash 13 Years Review

I’m stunned. This is hands down one of the best “Canadian” whiskies I’ve ever had, but that’s because it tastes like a good bourbon. Which, if it was made just 130 miles south it would be. The mash and sole use of new charred oak are the reason it tastes like a well-aged bourbon, but since Bourbon is a protected name they can’t use it.

From aroma to finish I get everything I want in a well-matured bourbon from the Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 13 Years. It is missing a bit of depth, but it’s incredibly delightful and utterly fascinating to see what a “bourbon” made outside of the USA tastes like. It’s also a great reminder of why Bourbon is a protected name. With the Canadians putting out a better product than the majority of craft distillers they’d be a massive source of competition if they could use the name.

SCORE: 87/100 (B+)

*Disclosure: This Crown Royal Blender's Mash 13 Years sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting