This was an accidental purchase. I would not have bought this had I realized that it was 90 proof. At the time I purchased my first bottle of Crown Royal Black, everything else in my liquor cabinet was no higher than 87 proof. After realizing that this was 90 proof, I banished this to the cabinet above my fridge which is the hardest to reach cabinet in my house. Yet, one evening a few months ago, I looked at the contents of my liquor cabinet, and I was just in the mood for something different. So, I stood on a chair to get to my most out-of-the-way cabinet, brought down the Crown Royal Black and poured myself a shot. I was blown away. It was much more mellow than I expected. On the palate, I taste maple syrup with a tinge of wood. This is a bit thin, but very good nonetheless. Prior to opening my first bottle of this, I was mostly a scotch drinker. I hadn't touched Canadian whisky or bourbon in years. Now I'm once again expanding my tastes, and I'm also starting to explore higher proof whisk(e)y offerings. Additionally, I'm lightening my wallet now that I'm not going after single malt scotches.