Our friends at Crown Royal invited us out for a night of sweet basketball and tasty Crown samplings at Staples Center this past Wednesday. On display were the lowly Lakers and surging Clippers and of course, inspired cocktails featuring different Crown variants.

The star of the night’s festivities was Crown Royal Regal Apple Whisky. The heart of this spirit is the classic Crown Royal Deluxe, which itself is a blend of 50 Canadian whiskies. The Crown Royal Deluxe that serves as the base is infused with Regal Gala Apples and apple flavors. The result is a sweet variant on the traditional Crown taste, which leads with a vibrant apple nose, rests on your tongue with a tart smoothness and finishes with a very apple-forward sweetness.

Crown Apple isn’t for everyone. If you like your spirits sweet, you can certainly get down on it. I think it plays well as a cocktail ingredient, where the sweet apple flavor can play nicely with other drink elements.

Here are the cocktails that were served at the tasting event:

Crownberry Apple

• 1.5oz Crown Royal Regal Apple
• 4oz Cranberry Juice
• Garnish with apple wedge

Crown Royal Press

• 1.5 oz. Crown Royal Deluxe
• 3 dash (s) Bitters
• Top with Lemon-Lime Soda
• 1 Lemon Wedge
• Garnish with a lemon wedge

The Northern Buck

• 1.5 oz Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
• .5 oz Lime juice
• Top with ginger beer
• Garnish with a lemon wedge

The combination of Cranberry juice and Crown Royal Regal Apple was a winning choice. The sweetness of the apple whisky was offset a bit by the tartness of the cranberry juice. Two distinct tastes that taste pretty good together.

The Crown Royal Press makes for a nice warm weather cocktail, good for summer days and sticky nights where a little bitters and a lot of lemon-lime lighten up the classic Crown Royal Deluxe.

The Northern Buck showcases the whisky of the year, Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. I found the lime juice to be a bit of a distraction, but I certainly enjoyed the rye + ginger beer combo.

Master of Whisky Stephen Wilson was on hand to guide those in attendance through a tasting of each whisky variant before we moved on to cocktails and one-sided basketball. We trust Steve on all things whisky related, but his detailed overview of the perfect process for experiencing retronasal olfaction and really understanding the flavor of each variant was a real treat.

Next time you’re trying a neat spirit, go through these steps:

• Smell the glass first and take a small swig
• Tilt your head left to right to let the spirit coat both of your cheeks
• Let the spirit coat your tongue and press your tongue against the roof of your mouth
• Swallow your swig
• Open your mouth and inhale across your tongue
• Close your mouth and exhale through your nose
• Enjoy that retronasal olfaction!

After the tasting it was game time. And for the 2015-16 LA Lakers that meant one thing – sadness. The Clippers jumped out to an 18-2 lead and we’re never really threatened by the young Laker squad. It was hard to watch Kobe Bryant struggle through 22 minutes of a 2-12 shooting performance from the field on his way to a six point, zero assist, three rebound night. Kobe tried to create when there was nothing to be created and lobbed up tough shot after tough shot. Metta World Peace looked surprisingly effective putting up 17 points, five rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist off the bench. He was also 2-3 from three point land.

The Clippers looked like a team ready to make a deep playoff run. Chris Paul scored 25 points and Jeff Green contributed 21 points off the bench as the Clippers easily dispatched the Lakers 103 to 81.

The love for Kobe was strong, but it’s hard to see the guy go out this way. Chants of MVP showered Bryant when he made it to the free throw line. The crowd called out his name when he wasn’t on the court. Kobe sat out the entire 4th quarter with his shoulders and knees all wrapped up. Watching the end of the Kobe era coincide with the Lakers’ franchise-worse 61st loss was a bittersweet sight.

Spike TV’s hit show Bar Rescue will air its 100th episode this Sunday at 9/8c! You can watch this milestone episode as the show begins a new season.  We here at MANjr. were able to get our hands on one of the cocktails made with Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye that will be featured in the episode.  When watching the show you might want to make it yourself.

Crown Royal also helped throw a party in New York City for Ron Taffer as he celebrated 100 episodes with friends and family at a special party.

DeMarcus Ware is now a champion in the NFL. Ware knows that it takes a whole team effort to win championships. Now it is time to celebrate with his teammates. In addition to their diamond-studded rings, each player will also responsibly enjoy some extra special whisky as a gift from linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

After helping Denver to victory, with the Defense dominating the Game, DeMarcus Ware gifted his teammates with specially embroidered bottles of Crown Royal XR (retail value $129.99). Available in limited quantities, the whisky hails from the famed LaSalle distillery near Montreal which no longer produces whisky. Beer might do in a pinch, but quality trumps quantity and the team will be sipping something smoother tomorrow when Ware distributes this gift to his Championship teammates.

“We worked incredibly hard this season, so I wanted to give my teammates something to honor the fact that we’re the best in the world,” said Ware. “Since we took the Crown and are officially Champs, I’m giving everyone on the team a bottle of Crown Royal XR, an extra rare whisky that has been specially embroidered to commemorate our championship. I can’t wait to take the time to enjoy this moment by toasting the best whisky with the best teammates; it really doesn’t get any better than this!”

Hey ladies, I know we might say finding the right gift for you on Valentine’s Day is tough. To be fair it is not all that simple for you getting the perfect gift for us. So with that romantic day not too far away I am going to help you out with a very cool whisky guide.

If you have been dating for less than six months you can’t go wrong with picking up either the George Dickel No. 12 Tennessee Whisky or the Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. The George Dickel Tennessee Whisky is known for their signature chill charcoal mellowing which makes it the smoothest sipping whisky around. Recently crowned the 2016 World Whisky of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is meant for the loved ones you think are world-class.

If you are dating for a bit longer like six months to a year the I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey or Bulleit Bourbon is a great choice. After 20 years abroad, I.W.  Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon has come home to the U.S. to satisfy significant others struck with wanderlust. Bulleit is a staple, whether included in a Hot Toddy, Old Fashioned, or enjoyed neat or on the rocks. It’s a must-have in any liquor cabinet.

If you are in a long term relationship you might want to go for the Orphan Barrel’s Rhetoric 21-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Progressively aged with hints of baked caramel and cinnamon, Rhetoric 21 is part of the Orphan Barrel Project where nearly forgotten whiskeys are resurrected from the depths of distilleries. There’s no doubt he will geek out over this fact.

You can also wow him with either the Blade & Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey or Crown Royal XR LaSalle. Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a limited release whiskey that pays homage to the artful passion and renowned craftsmanship of the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery and winner of the coveted double gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The second addition to the Crown Royal Extra Rare Whisky Series is an exquisite blend crafted to include a small reserve of the final batch of whiskies that were saved from the renowned LaSalle Distillery. A special blend to elevate any romantic evening!

Next weekend all eyes will focus on the city of Santa Clara. That is where the final game of the football season will take place. If you are rooting for Carolina then you should make the Keep Pounding Punch with the Dab On ‘Em Wings. If you want Denver to win enjoy the Orange Crush Punch and Bucking BBQ Bites.

If you have no horse or cat in the race then why not create the the Golden Gate cocktail. Bulleit Bourbon is deeply tied to the Bay Area through founder Tom Bulleit’s love for the city. In fact, Bulleit Rye was created in direct response to requests from the San Francisco bartending community. As always please enjoy responsibly.

The Golden Gate

Ingredients:

1.25 oz. Bulleit Rye

0.5 oz. blackberry syrup

2 dashes bitters

Directions: Add ingredients to an ice-filled rocks glass. Stir and serve.

Keep Pounding Punch (Serves 25)

*recipe created by Kevin Deidrich

Ingredients:

750 ml. Bottle of George Dickel Rye

10 oz. Lemon Juice

5 oz. Ginger Syrup

15 oz. Sparkling Water

7 tbsp. Simple Syrup

Muddled Raspberries

Muddled Mint leaves

Directions:

Mix ingredients in punch bowl, add muddled fruits, chill and serve with ice.

Dab On ‘Em Wings

Ingredients:

.3 cup Crown Royal Canadian Whisky

.3 cup Honey

.25 cup Soy sauce

2 Tablespoons Thai chili sauce

1 packet (0.75-ounce) stir-fry seasoning

2 teaspoons crushed garlic

4 pounds chicken wing drumettes

3 scallions (green onions), finely chopped (optional)

.25 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

Directions: In a large bowl, combine whisky, honey, soy sauce, chili sauce, stir-fry seasoning, and garlic. Add drumettes, tossing to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in refrigerator for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

Set up grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat. Oil grate when ready to start cooking. Let drumettes stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Place on hot, oiled grill. Cook for 12 to 18 minutes or until cooked through, turning occasionally. Transfer chicken to a platter. Sprinkle with chopped scallions and peanuts (optional).

Orange Crush Punch (Serves 6):

Ingredients:

9 oz. Captain Morgan Coconut Rum

9 oz. Orange juice

6 oz. Cranberry juice

3 oz. Ruby red grapefruit juice

Directions: Combine all ingredients including Captain Morgan Coconut Rum in a pitcher and stir.

Bucking BBQ Bites

*recipe created by George Johnson from The Comfort of Cooking

Chicken Recipe:

Nonstick cooking spray

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

8 oz. (half pound) bacon, cut into thirds

1/2 cup Spicy Sweet BBQ Sauce (recipe below)

Toothpicks

Instructions: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Wrap each chicken piece with a small strip of bacon. Secure with a toothpick and place on the baking sheet. Brush with BBQ sauce. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove pan from oven, brush bites with more BBQ sauce, and return to oven. Bake for 15 more minutes. Serve warm.

Sauce Recipe:

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup chile sauce

1/2 cup Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 teaspoon ground dry mustard

Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes, or until thickened as desired. Stir occasionally. Use immediately as you wish, or store in refrigerator until ready to use.

A couple weeks back, we attended the Diageo Whisk(e)y Showcase at the Jimmy Kimmel Backlot. It’s always great to catch up with old friends. And I don’t just mean Dickel, Bulleit and Crown. There was solid representation from the OG Crown Royal Indy crew. Nobinger was wearing a nice jacket. Hanging with Whiskey Master Stephen Wilson is always a good time (lookin’ good, Steve!). Adam Perry Lang served up some of his finest signature barbecue dishes. I have extra-fond memories of this man’s brisket game from that 2013 #PocketBrisket moment where I seriously considered smuggling BBQ meat in my pockets so I could enjoy more brisket at the conclusion of a Dickel Whisky tasting event that was also held at the Jimmy Kimmel Backlot.

Anyway, aside from all the friends and good eats, we had a purpose – a real genuine purpose – and that was to sample and talk about some of the finest whisky/whiskeys on the market. So let’s get into it.

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

What if I told you that the 2016 World Whisky of the Year can be had for 27 bucks at BevMo? Crazy right? Well according to the 13th edition of Jim Murray’s The Whisky Bible, that’s what’s up. Murray selected Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye as his top whisky of the year with a score of 97.5 out of 100. This rye isn’t a full rye. It’s made from 90% rye whisky and new blended whisky from the distillery in Gimli, Manitoba. You can sample this stuff neat, on the rocks, with a soft drink mixer or include it in a classic cocktail. It really doesn’t matter. This is a mellow, versatile, user-friendly rye that will make even the most snooty whisky lover pause and take notice. If you need to show up to someone’s place this holiday season with a spirit gift in hand, why not choose the under-$30 bottle that comes with a nice side-story of being the world’s best whisky for 2016?

Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Gerry Graham gave us the lowdown on the Blade and Bow 22, which took home Best Straight Bourbon and Double Gold honors at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Released by Stitzel-Weller, a distillery which has come into possession of some amazing historic whiskeys, this limited release caters to those who who want an extra kick of oak with their smooth whiskey finish. Some people like peety Scotches and some people like oaky whiskies. This finely packaged liquid includes whiskeys distilled at 17th and Breckinridge in Louisville (current address of the Bernheim Distillery) and the distillery historically located at 1001 Wilkinson Blvd. in Frankfort, Kentucky (which is the current address of the Buffalo Trace Distillery). If you need to find a gift for a whiskey archaeologist who can appreciate the limited/historic nature of curated warehouse barrel finds, Blalde and Bow 22 is the answer.

Bulleit Bourbon

Remember when you couldn’t find Bulleit anywhere? Now it’s a go-to selection for sipping or cocktail construction. And for good reason. We’ve written about our fondness for Bulleit at length in this space. Here’s a post that should sum up our feelings nicely. Bottom line, you can’t replicate the value, the utility and the warm reception that you get when you bring frontier whiskey to any party. Whether you go Bourbon, Rye (95% rye and my personal favorite) or 10-year, people will be happy to receive you when you arrive to a holiday event with Bulleit in your hand.

George Dickel

What do you get the foodie fella who appreciates whisky as much as good eats? Well that’s simple. Grab a copy of Adam Perry Lang’s Serious Barbecue and throw in a bottle of George Dickel. And if you want to see how this whisky plays nice with BBQ sauce, check out this video from the man himself:

Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel

I don’t know what it was about the festivities of the night, but for me the star of the Diageo Whisk(e)y Showcase was the Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel. It’s much more affordable than the Blade and Bow 22. It doesn’t come with the same accolades as the Northern Harvest Rye. I don’t have the same shared personal history with this liquid as I do with Bulleit and Dickel selections. Maybe it was Whisky Master Steve’s company that kept me going back for more. I just recall that this whiskey was full-bodied, crisp without kicking your butt and it had a rich, vanilla nose and a firm-but-silky finish. For less than $60 a bottle, it’s worth picking up this straight-from-the-barrel sample of Crown’s signature Coffey Rye Whisky.

And if all these individual whiskey tasting notes weren’t enough to steer you in the right direction, here are some cocktails from the fine mixologists at Scopa that should really put you in the holiday spirit:

Dickel in December

• 1.3 oz. George Dickel No. 12
• 0.75 oz. lemon juice
• 1 whole passion fruit
• 1 egg white
• 0.5 oz. honey syrup
• Cinnamon on top

Shake/ strain into cocktail glass/ microplane fresh cinnamon on top

Dickel Eastern Sour

• 1.3 oz. George Dickel Rye
• 0.75 oz. Lemon
• 0.75 oz. Orgeat
• 0.25 oz. Orange Juice

Whip dry/ crushed ice/ garnish orange wedge, wedged in center drank through a straw

Bulleit Boulevardier

• 1.3 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
• 0.75 oz. Campari
• 0.75 oz. sweet vermouth
• Orange Peel

Built/ ice/ stir/ peel

Crown Royal Canadian Rye Buck

• 01.5 oz. Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
• 0.75 oz. ginger syrup
• 0.5 oz. lime
• Soda to fill
• Garnish with lime wheel

Whip with 1 cube, dump contents in collins glass, ice soda to fill, stir

As always, whether you’re consuming amazing BBQ, sipping on whiskey neat or enjoying some seasonal cocktails, please do it responsibly. Happy holidays!

Crown Royal has done it once again. One of the most popular whisky brands out there wins another prestigious award. Jim Murray recently announced Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye as the 2016 World Whisky of the Year, marking the first time a Canadian Whisky has received the honor. The recognition comes at a time when both the Canadian and Rye whisky categories continue to gain popularity amongst whisky aficionados and consumers alike.

“Crown Royal Northern Harvest pops up out of nowhere and changes the game,” said Murray of the whisky, which he awarded a record-tying 97.5 out of 100 points. “It certainly puts the rye into Canadian Rye. To say this is a masterpiece is barely doing it justice.”

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye was first released in the U.S. in early 2015. The variant showcases the distinctly Canadian rye whiskey featured in the traditional Crown Royal Deluxe Blend that consumers have grown to love throughout the last 75-plus years. The latest variant to be introduced by Crown Royal, Northern Harvest Rye (90 proof, 45% ABV) is the brand’s first ever blended, 90% rye whisky and embodies a smooth and spicy flavor profile that can be mixed into traditional rye cocktails or enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

“Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye showcases the rye whisky that has been such an integral component of the Crown Royal Deluxe blend since 1939. This is a testament to the unbelievable blending and distilling that’s been taking place in Gimli for over 75 years,” said Yvonne Briese, Vice President of Crown Royal. “We are thrilled that Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye has been named World Whisky of the Year!”

In addition to being named 2016 World Whisky of the Year, Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye received a double gold medal at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is part of Crown Royal’s vast portfolio of variants for whisky lovers to enjoy, including Crown Royal Regal Apple, the #1 innovation launch across U.S. Spirits over the past 12 month period, according to Nielsen.

So when you are going to bring something to your holiday parties make sure you bring Crown Royal to the table. As always please enjoy Crown Royal responsibly.

I enjoy steak. I enjoy Crown Royal. For the life of me I didn’t know why it took me this long to make a food recipe with Crown Royal. I like to enjoy a Crown and ginger responsibly while eating a steak dinner. So why didn’t I make the connection of using Crown sooner? It was when one of my friends asked me if I have ever cooked with Crown Royal.

A few lightbulbs went off in my head and I started to think of a recipe that I should try out. When making steaks on the grill or stove I like using the McCormick Montreal steak seasoning. So I decided to combine two Canadian ingredients in this marinade and called it the Canadian Crown Steak Marinade. So if this sounds great to you feel free to check it out.

Plus for more news on Crown Royal and if you are 21 years or older go to their website as well as thebar.com for drink recipes.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

4 rib-eye steaks

1/2 cup Crown Royal whisky

1/2 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

2 tablespoons McCormick Montreal steak seasoning

1/3 cup teriyaki sauce

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup water

Directions

Combine the water, Crown Royal whiskey, pineapple juice, brown sugar, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a bowl. Put the steaks in a strong Ziploc bag. Pour the marinade over the steaks. Close up the bag and refrigerate overnight. Grill or cook steaks 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Allow steaks to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. I wrap the steaks in foil to keep the juices on the steak. Serve with potatoes and vegetable or a salad. Top it off with Crown Royal whisky neat or your favorite Crown Royal cocktail.

In the past I have had the privilege to meet some real life heroes. When Crown Royal asked me to cover the “Your Hero’s Name Here” a few years back I didn’t know what to expect. Besides meeting a ton of cool bloggers I was able to interact with some extraordinary people.

These people were men and women just like me, but went above and beyond to help their community. Whether it was here in the United States or around the world these heroes needed to have their story shared. That is where Crown Royal steps in with NASCAR and the Brickyard 400.

As the grand prize winner of Crown Royal’s annual “Your Hero’s Name Here” program, a deserving hero’s name will be etched in history with naming rights to the NASCAR race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26th, 2015. This race will mark the ninth time Crown Royal has awarded race naming rights to an adult fan. The program focuses on all of the unsung heroes who make a difference in their communities, from firefighters and police officers to first responders and local volunteers. Every year five heroic finalists are nominated and through consumer voting, one winner is chosen to have their name cemented in sports history.

Those 21 years of age or older can go to CrownRoyalHeroes.com to vote for the hero they think is most deserving of naming rights to the race. With voting closing on June 7^th help out the finalists receive as many votes as possible through CrownRoyalHeroes.com

To help you decide who to vote for watch below for their stories!

For those of you who might be lucky enough to get some Crown Royal or Captain Morgan under the tree this Christmas I have three outstanding cocktails that you should try. All of them have holiday themes to them and could be a year round drink of choice. Just make sure you enjoy them responsibly.

CAPTAIN’S CANDY CANE

1 oz. CAPTAIN MORGAN® ORIGINAL SPICED RUM

0.5 oz. peppermint schnapps

5 oz. cola

Instructions: Coat rim of a Collins or rocks glass with crushed candy cane pieces. Fill the glass with ice. Add all of the ingredients and stir.

CAPTAIN KRINGLE

1 oz. CAPTAIN MORGAN® ORIGINAL SPICED RUM

0.25 oz. premium orange liqueur

0.25 oz. cinnamon schnapps

5 oz. cola

Instructions: Combine all of the ingredients in an ice-filled rocks glass and stir. Garnish with an orange twist.

CAPTAIN’S HOLIDAY COCKTAIL

1.25 oz. CAPTAIN MORGAN® ORIGINAL SPICED RUM

0.75 oz.  Fresh Lemon Juice

0.25 oz. Fernet Branca

0.5 oz. Simple Syrup

3 Pieces Blackberry

3 Dashes of bitters

2 oz. Cola

Instructions: In a shaker, combine all the ingredients but the cola. Shake and strain into a Collins glass with cola. Garnish with an orange peel, expressed and inserted.

Crownberry Apple

1.5 oz. Crown Royal Regal Apple Canadian Whisky

4 oz. Cranberry Juice

Instructions: Serve in a rocks glass over ice and garnish with apple wedge.