Seagrams and Crown Royal are related, but they are not exactly the same. Seagrams is the parent company that created the Crown Royal brand. Seagrams was a Canadian company founded in 1857 by Joseph E. Seagram. It started as a distillery in Waterloo, Ontario, and eventually grew to become one of the largest alcohol beverage companies in the world.
Crown Royal, on the other hand, is a specific brand of Canadian whisky that was created by Seagrams. It was first introduced in 1939 as a special blend to celebrate the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada. The whisky was packaged in a distinctive purple bag, which has become one of the brand's iconic features.
In 1989, Seagrams was acquired by Vivendi, a French conglomerate, and later merged with Diageo, a British multinational alcoholic beverages company, in 2000. As a result, Diageo became the owner of the Crown Royal brand.
So, while Seagrams is the parent company that created Crown Royal, the two are not the same entity. Crown Royal is a specific brand of whisky that falls under the ownership of Diageo.
As a sommelier and brewer, I have had the opportunity to taste and experience Crown Royal firsthand. Its smooth and rich flavor profile sets it apart from other whiskies. The blend of different grains and the aging process in oak barrels give Crown Royal its distinctive taste.
One of the unique aspects of Crown Royal is its packaging. The iconic purple bag not only serves as a protective cover for the bottle but also adds a touch of elegance and luxury to the overall presentation. It's a small detail, but it adds to the overall experience of enjoying Crown Royal.
In terms of versatility, Crown Royal can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Its smoothness and balanced flavors make it a great choice for sipping, while its complexity allows it to shine in various mixed drinks.
Crown Royal offers a range of expressions, including Crown Royal Deluxe, Crown Royal Reserve, Crown Royal XO, and Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, among others. Each expression has its own unique characteristics and flavor profiles, catering to different preferences and occasions.
To summarize, Seagrams and Crown Royal are related but distinct entities. Seagrams is the parent company that created Crown Royal, while Crown Royal is a specific brand of Canadian whisky now owned by Diageo. Crown Royal is known for its smoothness, rich flavors, and iconic packaging, making it a popular choice among whisky enthusiasts.