GIMLI, Manitoba, May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As a brand deep
rooted in heritage and quality, Crown Royal is proud to
introduce its first-ever blended rye whisky, Crown Royal Northern
Harvest Rye. This offering combines the richness of Northern
harvest rye grains with the unmistakable smoothness of Crown Royal
to create a perfectly balanced whisky.
"With rye whiskies serving as integral components of the Crown
Royal Deluxe blend for more than 75 years, it was a natural and
authentic extension to provide our loyal fans a rye offering," said
Yvonne Briese, Vice President of
Marketing, Diageo North American Whiskey. "There is also a
tremendous growth opportunity within the rye category as consumers
gravitate toward quality products they know and trust while
experimenting with pre-Prohibition era cocktails."
The distinct Canadian climate provides the ideal conditions for
growing rye grains. This is due to the fact the grains are planted
in the fall, then blanketed with snow during the harsh winter
months and only finish their growth cycle once they have sprouted
throughout spring and summer. The extra time the grains take to
fully mature results in flavorful hints of fruit, cloves and
spice.
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
provides consumers with a very smooth and spicy flavor profile that
can be mixed into traditional rye cocktails, such as the
Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
Available at 90 proof / 45% Alcohol by Volume, Crown Royal Northern
Harvest Rye will be sold at a suggested retail price of
$29.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
To further enhance its portfolio, Crown Royal will also expand
its highly sought after Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel whisky
program to select markets across the country. First offered
exclusively in Texas, Crown Royal
Hand Selected Barrel features the heart of the Crown Royal blend,
our Coffey Rye whisky. Whisky
adorers can savor the signature Crown Royal smoothness through this
single barrel liquid that is produced from the brand's unique
Coffey Rye Still, the only known
still of its kind in North
America, located in Gimli,
Manitoba.
This is the first national rollout of a barrel program by the
Crown Royal brand, where select retailers are able to purchase an
entire barrel for their whisky enthusiasts to enjoy. To
commemorate the purchase, every bottle produced from the barrel
will also feature a personalized medallion denoting the retail
location. Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel is 103 proof /
51.5% Alcohol by Volume and will be sold at a suggested retail
price of $54.99 for a 750 mL
bottle.
Both Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye and Hand Selected Barrel
include a box and a felt bag, two iconic packaging features
consumers have grown to know and love. Consumers who choose to
enjoy either of these new Crown Royal whiskies are reminded to do
so responsibly.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an
outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine
categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B,
Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel
One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don
Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more
than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on
both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock
Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our
people, our brands, and performance, visit us at
www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking
resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways
to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
Contacts:
Kelly
Greenawalt
Taylor, 704-644-6915
KGreenawalt@taylorstrategy.com
Jamie Hakim
Diageo, 646-223-2314
Jamie.Hakim@diageo.com
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150508/214866
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crown-royal-welcomes-first-ever-rye-whisky-to-growing-portfolio-300080595.html
SOURCE Diageo