Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 01:59 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Crown Royal Apple vs Jim Beam Apple in this head-to-head comparison and decide which flavored whiskey is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Crown Royal Apple vs. Jim Beam Apple: Sweet Showdown with Different Results
Royal Apple: Apple Jolly Rancher and honey on the nose, with a sweet, apple candy-like taste. Short finish with a hint of spice. Ideal for sweet drink lovers.
Jim Beam Apple: Dominated by apple and honey, with sweetness. The finish is short and sweet, leaving an apple aftertaste. Better suited for cocktails than straight sipping.
Verdict: Both offer a sweet, apple-flavored experience, prioritizing simplicity over complexity. Suitable for those seeking flavored spirits for mixed drinks rather than a traditional whiskey experience, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Crown Royal Apple: Sweet Apple Candy in a Bottle, not Complex Whiskey
- Nose: Apple Jolly Rancher, honey
- Palate: Apple Jolly Rancher, sugar, rye spice
- Finish: Short, apple, spice
- Alcohol content: 70 proof (35% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
- Similar to: Jack Daniel’s Apple
Aroma Like Childhood: Upon opening the bottle, a familiar scent hits you – Apple Jolly Rancher! It’s strong, sweet, and brings back memories of childhood candy. A subtle honey note is present, offering a touch of depth, but the apple reigns supreme.
Candy Sweetness on the Palate: Take a sip, and the Jolly Rancher comparison continues. The dominant flavor is sugary apple candy, reminiscent of the iconic treat. There’s a hint of rye spice in the background, adding a welcome touch of complexity, but it can’t compete with the sweetness. The texture is noticeably syrupy, but the body feels thin and lacks substance.
Short & One-Note Finish: The finish doesn’t linger long, continuing the apple theme. A burst of spice arrives late, trying to balance the sweetness, but it’s a fleeting effort. Overall, the experience is straightforward and dominated by the artificial apple flavor.
Verdict: Sweet & Simple, Not Complex: This isn’t a complex whiskey for discerning palates. It’s essentially a liquid version of Apple Jolly Rancher, intensely sweet and syrupy. But here’s the thing: not everyone craves complexity. If you enjoy sweet, easy-to-drink spirits, Crown Royal Apple delivers. Just be prepared for a candy-like experience, not a nuanced whiskey journey.
Bonus Bites:
- This flavored whiskey combines Crown Royal Deluxe with apple liqueur.
- The base whiskey features a significant rye content, contributing to the subtle spice notes.
- Crown Royal is Canada’s largest whiskey producer and a top seller in the US.
- Production takes place at the Gimli Distillery in Manitoba.
- Diageo, the British spirits giant, acquired the company in 2000.
So, if you’re looking for a sweet and unpretentious apple-flavored drink, Crown Royal Apple might be your jam. But if you seek a complex and sophisticated whiskey experience, this probably isn’t your match. Remember, taste is subjective, and there’s a spirit out there for everyone!
Jim Beam Apple: Overly Sweet Apple Notes Overwhelm Enjoyment
- Nose: Apple, honey, wax
- Palate: Apple, honey
- Finish: Short, apple, oak
- Alcohol content: 70 proof (35% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
- Similar to: Jack Daniel’s Apple
Dominant Apple, But Not in a Good Way: The initial aroma is indeed dominated by apple, but not refreshingly or naturally. It’s strong and leans artificial, reminiscent of candy rather than fresh fruit. Hints of honey peek through, but a waxy undertone adds an off-putting quality.
Cloying Sweetness Overwhelms Palate: On the palate, the artificial apple flavor intensifies and takes center stage. It’s overwhelmingly sweet, bordering on cloying, and lacks depth or complexity. Honey notes are present, but they get lost in the sweetness. Additionally, a musty character emerges, further detracting from the experience.
Short & Unsatisfying Finish: The finish is nearly non-existent, leaving a fleeting taste of apple and oak behind. Unfortunately, the overwhelming sweetness lingers, leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.
Verdict: Sweetness Goes Overboard: Although flavored whiskeys naturally tend to be sweeter, Jim Beam Apple takes it to an extreme. The artificial apple flavor is excessive and cloying, making it difficult to enjoy straight. Water might help, but it might not be enough to salvage the experience. This expression might be better suited for cocktails where the sweetness can be balanced by other ingredients.
Bonus Bites:
- This whiskey uses the Jim Beam White Label as its base, combined with apple liqueur.
- It’s produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Kentucky, alongside other well-known brands.
- Jim Beam is now owned by Suntory Holdings, a Japanese beverage giant.
While this particular expression might not be for everyone, Jim Beam offers a variety of other whiskeys, both classic and flavored, that might cater to different preferences. Remember, taste is subjective, and what one person finds unpleasant, another might enjoy. Happy exploring!
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whiskey | Price |
| Crown Royal Apple | $30 |
| Jim Beam Apple | $18 |