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The Toast: A Review of Crown Royal Black
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April 13, 2012
The Toast: A Review of Crown Royal Black
By Colin Kearns
Draper and I have been talking about adding another regular on the blog — something to help wash down all of the great game and fish that’s served here. So, we present The Toast. Every now and then we’ll bring reviews, recipes and stories of our favorite drinks (and, no, not all will be booze) to enjoy with a meal or just to celebrate a good day outdoors.
I’ll kick The Toast off with some notes about a new whiskey I was lucky to enjoy over the last month: Crown Royal Black. I’m definitely more of a bourbon and rye guy, but I enjoy Canadian whiskey now and then. I’ve always liked classic Crown — but now I like Black more.
Black (90 proof) is stronger than Crown Royal (80 proof), and, as it’s name suggests, is darker in color — thanks to the added oak flavor. The whiskey is a little sweet, with notes of maple and vanilla. And, man, is it smooth. A couple Fridays ago, at the end of the workday, a few of us at the office enjoyed a drink of Black, neat. We were all impressed by how easy it went down.
I was curious how Black would work in a cocktail, so last night, with the last of my bottle, I mixed an Old Fashioned. I took one sip and wished I’d used the entire bottle for this cocktail. It was bold. It was smooth. It was balanced. I mean, it was really good. If only I could’ve made another…
I’ve written about the Old Fashioned before, but what follows is what I’ve found to be the absolute perfect recipe. (The “research” was grueling, let me tell you.) I hope you enjoy.
The (Perfect) Old Fashioned
Ingredients
1/4 ounce rich simple syrup*
3 dashes Angostura bitters
2 ounces Crown Royal Black (or a good rye or bourbon)
Orange peel for garnish
*Unlike simple syrup, which is equal parts sugar and water, a rich simple syrup is two parts sugar to one part water. Add two cups of turbinado sugar and one cup water to a sauce pan. Heat over medium low, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. As soon as the syrup shows signs of boiling, remove it from the heat and let cool. The syrup will last about a month.
Directions
Add the syrup and bitters to a rocks glass and stir. Add the whiskey. Add ice (preferably one large block) and stir about 20 to 30 times, or until you feel the outside of the glass turn cold. Let the cocktail sit.
In the meantime, cut a chunk of peel from an orange. (You want the peel only. The white pith will make the drink bitter.) Hold the peel over the glass, and squeeze the oils in to the drink. Then run the peel around the rim of the glass before dropping it into the drink. Stir the cocktail a couple more times. Cheers.
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Comments (27)
I've been meaning to get a bottle of this stuff. However with the start of the baseball season, I've been doing a lot of beer drinking lately. I did find it amusing though that the best advertising campaign they could come up with was something along the lines of - almost as good as bourbon... or something to that effect. Not going to win over very many folks near Kentucky with a slogan like that.
Also meant to say I like the toast idea. As a food fights voter I know that I've let a drink or two standing behind a dish break the tie if my stomach can't decide.
An old fashioned often includes a muddled cherry and/or a dash of cherry juice . I have some experience with the Crown Rotyal Black, and it's terrific. I personally would not use such a quality whiskey in any way other than on the rocks (with a splash of water, at most) or neat. Good stuff though.
You guys are makin way too much money. For me it is Keystone Light chased down with a slug of Thunderbird Wine.
Love "The Toast" idea. Love Old Fashioneds even more. Good start!
Sayfu, live a lil' bit, man! Life is too short!
Good idea!
What's next? Dueling drinks to accompany the food in the fights? I like it!!
CL3 That is livin for me! I'm stylin when I got a bottle of Thunderbird in my backpac! Sure beats drinkin after shave!
Sayfu:
THUNDERBIRD! They till make that stuff???? My liver is turning over just thinking about it. Some things in life you can't go cheap on, and booze is one. Either drink quality or don't drink at all.
Rocky...The Thunderbird was only on the drive to the river. Once I luanched my boat it was Schnappes in the coffee. If I faced a tough set of rapids I'd often pull out the bottle of Yukon Jack. I was no big city "flatlander" We took on the elements with lots of spirits.
Sayfu; Ok that one got me laughing. ;-)
ok, i have to try this stuff. since i just moved to a new town, i still need to find a liqour store!
No jamesti !! Don't do it !!! Please don't do it!! We are having a hard time understanding your reasoning when yer sober!!!
It's not bad but when I tried it I really wasn't impressed.
when i do mix my crown, its always been with gingerale. may have to try this...
I wasn't overly impressed with Crown Black, I tend to prefer Kentucky whiskey's over Canadian or Tennessee. Don't forget your beers on "The Toast" Coor's new Batch 19 does impress, even for a beer out of a big brewer.
Just so Crown Royal continues to create those great, blue, draw string reel bags! Sure wish my Thunderbird had a similar bag.
You guys know Sayfu coined this, "What's the word, Thunderbird!!! What's the price? A dollar twice."
When the First Ave. store, down on the water front in Seattle had Thunderbird for .75 a bottle, I bought a case...sure wish I had bought two cases. Felt sorry for my buddies in the back ally, and gave them a couple of bottles. Wish I hadn't. Runnin low now, and can hardly drive without it.
sayfu, who said i was sober while trying to reason with you? i don't think that's possible! plus one, man.
I'm sorry, but I prefer my whiskey, well, clear.
jamesti...Most folks hit the bottle when having to debate the Sayfu. Least you're a classy boozer. And save those blue bags! Makes you look classy on your way to the river with one of those drawn up around your reel.
I was always liked Scotch so I can't comment. What I can comment on is one thing. Having a father that lived through prohibition and a mother who was a domestic on 5th avenue. I will leave you with this mixed drinks were a product of inferior liquor during prohibition. A mixed drink when done correctly is a delicate balance and never made with a premium spirit. Anything good that has taken years to produce should be unadulterated. Anything good stands on it's own legs. You would not use a 25 year old Scotch to make a Rusty Nail or A Rob Roy.
PS If you are going to go to the trouble of making simple syrup. There are any number of soft drinks you can make. With the addition on seltzer water. You can make Lyme Ricky's, Cherry Ricky's, New York Egg Cream, Black & Whites,Roy Roger's, Shirley Temple's, Black Cow, Plain Phosphate and the list goes on. Just use real fruit and home made syrups. These are a nice change for young and old. Practice your mix before you go live fire.
Sayfu...your my hero...maybe we should get together one of these days and have a toast to the Wild Irish Rose?
thedraketaker..How do I know you don't just want to get into my shroooom stash, and bogart my Thunderbird bottle?
There is a bit of confusion in this article for me, you said "I’m definitely more of a bourbon and rye guy, but I enjoy Canadian whiskey now and then.", but Crown Royal is actually a rye whiskey too. In Canada the terms rye whiskey and Canadian whiskey are used rather interchangeably. By law even the term "Canadian Rye Whiskey" is synonymous with "Canadian Whiskey" in terms of labeling and so forth. To return to the article, Crown Royal has been my go to liquor for years now and I quite enjoy the Crown Royal Black too. However, I have trouble justifying paying more for it when the regular Crown Royal is so damn good!
Great article though I can't wait for more.
sayfu....that sounds like a damn good idea lol
Post a Comment
Rocky...The Thunderbird was only on the drive to the river. Once I luanched my boat it was Schnappes in the coffee. If I faced a tough set of rapids I'd often pull out the bottle of Yukon Jack. I was no big city "flatlander" We took on the elements with lots of spirits.
No jamesti !! Don't do it !!! Please don't do it!! We are having a hard time understanding your reasoning when yer sober!!!
I was always liked Scotch so I can't comment. What I can comment on is one thing. Having a father that lived through prohibition and a mother who was a domestic on 5th avenue. I will leave you with this mixed drinks were a product of inferior liquor during prohibition. A mixed drink when done correctly is a delicate balance and never made with a premium spirit. Anything good that has taken years to produce should be unadulterated. Anything good stands on it's own legs. You would not use a 25 year old Scotch to make a Rusty Nail or A Rob Roy.
PS If you are going to go to the trouble of making simple syrup. There are any number of soft drinks you can make. With the addition on seltzer water. You can make Lyme Ricky's, Cherry Ricky's, New York Egg Cream, Black & Whites,Roy Roger's, Shirley Temple's, Black Cow, Plain Phosphate and the list goes on. Just use real fruit and home made syrups. These are a nice change for young and old. Practice your mix before you go live fire.
I've been meaning to get a bottle of this stuff. However with the start of the baseball season, I've been doing a lot of beer drinking lately. I did find it amusing though that the best advertising campaign they could come up with was something along the lines of - almost as good as bourbon... or something to that effect. Not going to win over very many folks near Kentucky with a slogan like that.
Also meant to say I like the toast idea. As a food fights voter I know that I've let a drink or two standing behind a dish break the tie if my stomach can't decide.
An old fashioned often includes a muddled cherry and/or a dash of cherry juice . I have some experience with the Crown Rotyal Black, and it's terrific. I personally would not use such a quality whiskey in any way other than on the rocks (with a splash of water, at most) or neat. Good stuff though.
You guys are makin way too much money. For me it is Keystone Light chased down with a slug of Thunderbird Wine.
Love "The Toast" idea. Love Old Fashioneds even more. Good start!
Sayfu, live a lil' bit, man! Life is too short!
Good idea!
What's next? Dueling drinks to accompany the food in the fights? I like it!!
CL3 That is livin for me! I'm stylin when I got a bottle of Thunderbird in my backpac! Sure beats drinkin after shave!
Sayfu:
THUNDERBIRD! They till make that stuff???? My liver is turning over just thinking about it. Some things in life you can't go cheap on, and booze is one. Either drink quality or don't drink at all.
Sayfu; Ok that one got me laughing. ;-)
ok, i have to try this stuff. since i just moved to a new town, i still need to find a liqour store!
It's not bad but when I tried it I really wasn't impressed.
when i do mix my crown, its always been with gingerale. may have to try this...
I wasn't overly impressed with Crown Black, I tend to prefer Kentucky whiskey's over Canadian or Tennessee. Don't forget your beers on "The Toast" Coor's new Batch 19 does impress, even for a beer out of a big brewer.
Just so Crown Royal continues to create those great, blue, draw string reel bags! Sure wish my Thunderbird had a similar bag.
You guys know Sayfu coined this, "What's the word, Thunderbird!!! What's the price? A dollar twice."
When the First Ave. store, down on the water front in Seattle had Thunderbird for .75 a bottle, I bought a case...sure wish I had bought two cases. Felt sorry for my buddies in the back ally, and gave them a couple of bottles. Wish I hadn't. Runnin low now, and can hardly drive without it.
sayfu, who said i was sober while trying to reason with you? i don't think that's possible! plus one, man.
I'm sorry, but I prefer my whiskey, well, clear.
jamesti...Most folks hit the bottle when having to debate the Sayfu. Least you're a classy boozer. And save those blue bags! Makes you look classy on your way to the river with one of those drawn up around your reel.
Sayfu...your my hero...maybe we should get together one of these days and have a toast to the Wild Irish Rose?
thedraketaker..How do I know you don't just want to get into my shroooom stash, and bogart my Thunderbird bottle?
There is a bit of confusion in this article for me, you said "I’m definitely more of a bourbon and rye guy, but I enjoy Canadian whiskey now and then.", but Crown Royal is actually a rye whiskey too. In Canada the terms rye whiskey and Canadian whiskey are used rather interchangeably. By law even the term "Canadian Rye Whiskey" is synonymous with "Canadian Whiskey" in terms of labeling and so forth. To return to the article, Crown Royal has been my go to liquor for years now and I quite enjoy the Crown Royal Black too. However, I have trouble justifying paying more for it when the regular Crown Royal is so damn good!
Great article though I can't wait for more.
sayfu....that sounds like a damn good idea lol
Post a Comment