Crown Royal Reserve 12 Year Old Whisky
Crown Royal Reserve 12 Year Old Whisky is an 80-proof (40% ABV) Canadian whisky and the first age-stated expression in the Reserve line — a blend of five whiskies, hand-selected by Crown Royal's master blender, each aged a minimum of 12 years in charred American white oak barrels, in a 750mL bottle. Launched in October 2024 as a reimagining of the original non-age-stated Crown Royal Reserve, it arrives in redesigned packaging and carries the depth that over a decade in oak gives Canadian whisky. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: Minimum 12 years — blend of five hand-selected whiskies
- Maturation: Charred American white oak barrels
- Producer: Crown Royal, Canada (Diageo) — the Reserve line's first age-stated release, launched October 2024
The Reserve Line Grows Up
Crown Royal Reserve had always been the connoisseur's pick in the lineup, but until October 2024 it carried no age statement. The Reserve 12 changes that: the master blender pulls five whiskies, each with at least 12 years in charred American oak, and marries them into the richest Reserve bottling Crown Royal has released. It is the same deluxe Canadian whisky character the line is known for — smooth, layered, deliberate — with the extra time in wood showing up as deeper fruit and spice. Explore the Crown Royal collection and more Canadian whisky at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per the brand's official profile: the nose opens with red fruit and orchard fruit, vanilla, and a light touch of baking spice. The palate layers orchard fruit with white chocolate, rye spice, and toasted oak. The finish is mild and warming, with lingering cinnamon-spice and apple notes rather than heat.
How to Enjoy
Pour it neat or over a single large cube — this is a whisky built for slow sipping, and the white-chocolate and orchard-fruit notes show best without dilution. It also makes a distinguished Manhattan or an elevated Old Fashioned when you want the 12-year character to carry the cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crown Royal Reserve 12 Year Old actually 12 years old?
The 12-year statement is the minimum age: it is a blend of five whiskies, each aged at least 12 years in charred American white oak — so every drop in the bottle is 12 years or older.
What is the difference between Crown Royal Reserve 12 and the original Reserve?
The Reserve 12, launched in October 2024, is the first age-stated Reserve expression — a reimagining of the original non-age-stated Crown Royal Reserve with deeper oak character from the guaranteed minimum aging.
What is the ABV of Crown Royal Reserve 12 Year Old?
It is bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) in a 750mL bottle.
Order Crown Royal Reserve 12 Year Old Whisky online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — a decade-plus of Canadian whisky craft in every pour.