Crown Royal Blender’s Mash: A True Canadian Alternative to Bourbon?

Recently, there has been a growing public demand for Canadian-made products as an alternative to American goods. For whiskey lovers who appreciate bourbon's rich and smooth character but want to support Canadian brands, Crown Royal Blender’s Mash presents an interesting option.

While it does not meet the strict legal definition of bourbon, it shares many key characteristics, making it a viable substitute for those seeking a similar experience.

Let's examine how Crown Royal Blender’s Mash compares to bourbon using the seven key bourbon standards established by U.S. regulations.

1. Must Be Made in the USA 🇺🇸

✅ Bourbon: Must be produced in the United States.
❌ Crown Royal Blender’s Mash: Made in Canada, so it cannot legally be called bourbon.

What This Means:

This geographic restriction is purely a matter of legal definition, not a reflection of quality or flavor. Because whiskey is made outside the U.S. does not mean it lacks bourbon's rich, caramelized sweetness or smooth character.

Canada has a long, respected tradition of whiskey-making. Distillers use similar grains, aging techniques, and craftsmanship. Crown Royal Blender’s Mash is a prime example. Crafted with a high corn mash bill and aged in charred barrels, it delivers a flavor profile strikingly similar to bourbon.

Suppose you're a bourbon fan looking for something new but familiar. In that case, Blender’s Mash offers a smooth, slightly sweet, and oak-forward experience that makes it a worthy alternative - even if the label doesn’t say “bourbon.” 🥃🔥

2. At Least 51% Corn 🌽

✅ Bourbon: Must contain at least 51% corn in the mash bill.
✅ Crown Royal Blender’s Mash: 64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley (meets the bourbon standard).

Popular Bourbons with a mash bill similar to Crown Royal

Here are four well-known and widely loved bourbons that fall within the 60-70% corn range for their mash bill. Each unique flavor profile is perfect for sipping or mixing in cocktails.

🥃 Buffalo Trace Bourbon

• Mash Bill: Estimated ≈ 70% corn, with rye and malted barley

• Why it’s popular: A smooth, well-balanced bourbon with notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice. It’s widely available and a tremendous entry-level bourbon for new enthusiasts.

🏆 Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

• Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley (slightly above 70%, but worth considering)

• Why it’s popular: This rich, full-bodied bourbon, with complex layers of dried fruit, spice, and oak, is a staple in many home bars and an excellent choice for classic Old Fashioneds.

🔥 Four Roses Small Batch

• Mash Bill: Uses two different mash bills in its blend:

  • One with 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley

  • Another with 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley (blended for balance)

• Why it’s popular: A versatile and flavorful bourbon with a sweet corn foundation balanced by a high-rye spice. Excellent for both neat sipping and cocktails.

🏅 Old Forester 100 Proof

• Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley (again, slightly over 70%, but a legendary bourbon worth noting)

• Why it’s popular: A bold, rich bourbon with deep caramel and vanilla notes, packing a punch with its higher proof. Perfect for those who love full-bodied whiskey.

What This Means:

The high corn content in Blender’s Mash gives it a sweeter, smoother profile—similar to bourbon. Many Canadian whiskies are more rye-forward, but Blender’s Mash is crafted with a bourbon-like grain bill, making it one of the closest Canadian alternatives in terms of flavor.

3. Aged in New, Charred Oak Barrels 🔥

✅ Bourbon: Must be aged in new, charred American oak barrels.
❌ Crown Royal Blender’s Mash: Aged in used barrels, disqualifying it from being bourbon.

What This Means:

This is one of the most significant differences between Blender’s Mash and traditional bourbon. Bourbon’s distinct deep caramel, vanilla, and oak flavors come primarily from interacting with new charred barrels. While Blender’s Mash still has a rich, smooth oak influence, using previously used barrels gives it a slightly different aging profile - closer to traditional Canadian whisky.

4. Distilled to No More Than 160 Proof (80% ABV) 🍶

✅ Bourbon: Cannot be distilled above 160 proof.
✅ Crown Royal Blender’s Mash: Distilled below 160 proof, aligning with bourbon standards.

What This Means:

Both bourbon and Blender’s Mash retain grain character and complexity by not being over-distilled. Some Canadian whiskies are distilled to higher proof levels, but Blender’s Mash follows bourbon-style distillation methods, helping it maintain a bold and full-bodied profile.

5. Barreled at No More Than 125 Proof (62.5% ABV) 🛢️

✅ Bourbon: Must enter the barrel at 125 proof or lower.
✅ Crown Royal Blender’s Mash: Entered barrels below 125 proof, so it meets this standard.

What This Means:

Barrel entry proof impacts the extraction of flavors from the wood. Blender’s Mash, like bourbon, is entered into the barrel at a proof that allows it to develop complex notes of caramel, spice, and vanilla.

6. Bottled at No Less Than 80 Proof (40% ABV) 🍷

✅ Bourbon: Must be bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) or higher.
✅ Crown Royal Blender’s Mash: Bottled at 80 proof, meeting the bourbon requirement.

What This Means:

Blender’s Mash is bottled at a strength similar to standard bourbons, ensuring a comparable sipping experience.

7. No Additives or Artificial Flavors 🚫

✅ Bourbon: Cannot contain additives, artificial flavors, or caramel coloring.
❌ Crown Royal Blender’s Mash: Likely contains caramel coloring (common in Canadian whisky), disqualifying it from being bourbon.

What This Means:

Unlike bourbon, Canadian whisky regulations allow a small percentage of flavoring or coloring additives. While Blender’s Mash still delivers a natural whiskey experience, the possible presence of caramel coloring could slightly alter its visual appeal and sweetness.

Best Drink Recipes Using Crown Royal Blender’s Mash

While Crown Royal Blender’s Mash is a great sipping whisky, it works exceptionally well in classic bourbon cocktails. Here are a couple of recipes to try:

1. Canadian Old Fashioned 🇨🇦

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Crown Royal Blender’s Mash

• 1 sugar cube (or ½ tsp simple syrup)

• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

• Orange peel (for garnish)

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle the sugar cube with bitters in a rocks glass.

2. Add ice and pour in Crown Royal Blender’s Mash.

3. Stir gently and garnish with an orange peel.

2. Maple Manhattan 🍁

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Crown Royal Blender’s Mash

• ¾ oz sweet vermouth

• 1 tsp pure maple syrup

• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

• Cherry for garnish

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir well and strain into a chilled coupe glass.

3. Garnish with a cherry.

Two Cigars to Pair with Crown Royal Blender’s Mash 🥃🔥

Since Crown Royal Blender’s Mash has a high corn mash bill, it delivers a smooth, slightly sweet profile with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak—much like a bourbon. The best cigar pairings will complement these flavors while adding depth to the experience.

1️⃣ Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story

🔥 Why It Works:

• It is a medium-bodied Dominican cigar with notes of cedar, spice, and a hint of sweetness.

• The rich Cameroon wrapper adds a natural sweetness that pairs well with Blender’s Mash’s vanilla and caramel notes.

• The shorter format makes it an excellent pairing for a casual sipping session.

2️⃣ Oliva Serie V Melanio Toro

🔥 Why It Works:

• Full-bodied, complex smoke that enhances the whiskey’s oak and spice notes.

• Features aged Nicaraguan tobaccos, delivering cocoa, leather, and pepper that balance the drink’s smoothness.

• The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper adds a touch of creaminess, perfectly contrasting the whiskey’s warm, sweet finish.

These cigars elevate the experience of sipping Crown Royal Blender’s Mash, whether you want a mellow yet flavorful smoke (Fuente) or a bolder, richer pairing (Oliva).

🥃🔥 Cheers to a perfect pairing!

Where to buy Crown Royal Blenders Mash

Check your local liquor store for availability. You can also order it from BSW Liquors and have it shipped. The current price for a 750 ml bottle on their site is $45.

Final Thoughts

While it will never officially be a bourbon, Crown Royal Blender’s Mash is one of the best Canadian-made alternatives for bourbon lovers. Whether you’re switching for patriotic reasons, availability, or curiosity, this whisky offers a smooth, corn-forward, bourbon-style experience while staying true to its Canadian roots.

Would you make the switch? Let us know what you think! 🍁🥃