Had this at a friend's birthday party over the weekend. Mostly a beer and wine crowd avoiding a spirits table populated with the usual suspects: vodka, rum, gin, and a new 1.75L of Crown Royal Black, which I was happy to break the seal on. In the glass it is a dark amber and looks like a Coca-Cola. The nose also reminds you of Coke with the sweet smell of caramel and a hint of vanilla. To taste, why not make it three for three, dousing the tongue with an avalanche of sweetness fit for a kid, and blocking out anything reminiscent of good whisky. It does, however, finish with a good dose of rye spiciness salvaging something from an otherwise disastrous pour. As repugnant as it seemed, it settled into a good sipper over the course of the afternoon, and when I went back to pour myself a third drink I was surprised to be greeted to an almost empty bottle. Shows you how much I know about people's wants and needs. The critic in me would like to rate this at 2 stars, but an afternoon of enjoyment is forcing me to give it 3. Well played, Crown Royal! :)