75th Anniversary Blend
Finely Blended Canadian Whisky
40% ABV (80 proof)
~$75 (sample provided)
Color: light/medium golden brown
Smell: subtle, very smooth and muted. Definitely some maple sweetness and a barely-there fruitiness that's bordering on bananas/apricots.
Taste: more of the same - super smooth entry, gentle throughout the palate. Slight sweetness with just a wisp of leather that shows up during the transition and short finish.
Overall: this is impeccably smooth. Compared to the flagship Crown, it's somehow even more subtle. lt's all about balance and finesse. There are no high notes; it's a gentle nose with some interesting tropical fruitiness, a subtly sweet delivery on the palate with just a hint of integrated barrel influence, and then it's all quickly over after swallowing. I would love to taste this at a much higher proof - what's there is interesting and certainly smooth, but the flavors aren't concentrated enough to truly savor throughout a sipping session. Solid "B" for me without considering value, but $75 is a big ask for a smooth 80 proof whisky.
