Crown Royal Canadian Whisky

Crown Royal is a premier brand of blended Canadian whisky that enjoys a storied history dating back to 1939. It was famously created by Samuel Bronfman, president of the Seagram Company, as a commemorative tribute to the first-ever grand tour of Canada by reigning British monarchs King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Originally packaged in its now-iconic purple velvet bag with gold stitching, the whisky was initially an exclusive gift for the royal couple but eventually became a staple of the Seagram portfolio and transitioned into a global emblem of luxury spirits.

While the brand was originally born under the Canadian-based Seagram's empire, it was acquired in 2000 by the British multinational alcoholic beverage conglomerate, Diageo. Today, Crown Royal remains the top-selling Canadian whisky worldwide. Its production stays true to its roots, centered at the Crown Royal distillery in Gimli, Manitoba, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. This facility utilizes local Canadian grains—rye, corn, and barley—and water naturally filtered through limestone. While distilling takes place in Gimli, blending and bottling long occurred in various Canadian facilities; notably, as of early 2026, bottling operations for the U.S. market have seen shifts to American facilities, while Canadian and international production continues to be centered in Canada.