Crown Royal needs no introduction. This was a staple for me and college, and I’m reviewing this now simply to check a box. My expectations aren’t particularly high here—but hey, you never know. Nose: Loads of vanilla. Some toffee, caramel and butterscotch. Light rye spice, white pepper, clove, and nutmeg. Palate: Apple juice. Vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and toffee. Citrus and tobacco smoke. Overly-sweet dried apricot. Cocoa. Some malty, grainy, slightly tinny notes. Rye spice, black pepper, clove, and nutmeg. Finish: Candy corn, overly-ripe dried apricot, and apple juice. Vanilla, caramel, toffee, butterscotch. Black pepper, rye spice, clove, nutmeg. Very brief. Well, can’t win em all. I wasn’t expecting much out of this one, and that’s a good thing, because it didn’t deliver. I’m sure this is fine as a mixer. Unfortunately, I do all of these reviews neat. I consider this to be “class” in my college days. The presentation is all there. The whisky, however, is not. 1.5/5. Box checked.