Crown Royal Vanilla Whiskey

Crown Royal Vanilla is a flavored Canadian whisky, so it belongs with the lighter, softer whiskies rather than next to bourbon or Scotch. Canadian whisky is usually built from a blend of column-distilled grain whiskies, often corn or rye-led, which gives a smooth, supple base. Here that base is paired with vanilla flavoring. Expect vanilla to lead on both nose and palate, with a gentle sweetness and soft oak or caramel in the background. Styles like this usually have little smoke, char, or sharp rye spice, so the profile is rounded and easy rather than assertive. Served neat, it is mellow and close to dessert-like, and a Glencairn works well if you want to pick out the vanilla and any faint woody notes on the nose. Most people will find a rocks glass with a large cube more practical. Chilling and slight dilution pull back the sweetness and make it very easy to drink. A few drops of water are worth trying if the vanilla seems too forward, since they can open up the grain and oak underneath. In cocktails, the vanilla makes it a natural for an Old Fashioned. Use a dash or two of aromatic bitters, and cut back on or skip the sugar cube, because the whisky already supplies sweetness. An orange peel adds a bitter-citrus edge that balances it. It also works in a Whiskey Sour, where lemon juice offsets the sweetness and the vanilla rounds out the sharpness, and an egg white gives a silkier texture. In a Manhattan, expect a softer, sweeter drink than one made with rye, so consider a drier vermouth and an extra dash of bitters to keep it from tipping too sweet. For a simple long drink, a highball with cold ginger ale, cola, or soda water and a lemon or lime wedge is the easiest option. Ginger beer adds more bite and suits the sweetness well. For food, the vanilla pairs naturally with baked apples, pecan or caramel desserts, and vanilla ice cream, which you can pour a measure over directly.