Crown Royal Reserve

Nose: sweet, fresh oak. Butterscotch. Wet stone. The aromas are tightly knit and it takes some coaxing to get them out of the glass. Very nice but a little too "closed".

Taste: medium-bodied and warming on the tongue. Surprisingly dry; the sweetness is offset by spicu oak and rye flavours. A classic Canadian flavour profile: scotch and bourbon drinkers will likely find this bland. Butterscotch and vanilla wrapped in oak.

Finish: Slightly sour. Fades on a tangy oak note.

Balance: not a knock-your-socks-off sort of whisky but it has a quiet complexity that makes it sippable. Doesn't quite justify the higher price tag ($52.95 in Ontario) but is worth checking out if you can find it on sale.

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