For a while, Crown Royal Blackberry ruled the world of blackberry-flavored whiskey. The limited edition release in 2024 gave Crown Royal a niche that no other major brand had touched. This changed recently with the launch of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry.
Now two huge brands are competing for the same space. Both are 35% ABV. Both come in purple labels. Both promise an easy balance of fruit and whiskey. But which one delivers on that promise?
Crown Royal Blackberry & Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry: What Are They?
Crown Royal Blackberry arrived in spring 2024 as a limited edition. It uses Crown’s Canadian whisky base infused with fresh blackberries. Today, it is still available across the USA from around $20 (prices vary by market). Sadly for our editorial team, it is almost impossible to find in the U.K.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry launched in August 2025. It blends Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey with a blackberry liqueur. This is also a permanent addition to the lineup. It is widely available across the U.S. for around $20 and expected to roll out globally (we hope) in the near future.
How Do The Flavors Compare?
Both whiskeys have a blackberry flavor, but the official tasting notes differ slightly.
According to Crown Royal, their Blackberry Whisky has aromas of “sweet blackberry sauce with a dash of whisky”. The palate is “vanilla balanced with cooked and slightly tart blackberries”. On the finish, you may find “hints of creamy vanilla and caramel”.
Jack Daniel’s asserts that their Tennessee Blackberry has “rich blackberry cobbler brightened with a splash of classic Old No.7” on the nose. On the palate, “bold, vibrant blackberry softened with creamy vanilla, toasted oak, and a hint of honey.” The finish is “smooth yet complex with layers of blackberry, toasted nuts, and the familiar Old No.7 profile”.
On the face of it, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry presents as the more complex of the two. But what do the reviews say?
What Reviewers Say
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry may only have been out for a few weeks, but reviewers have started to draw clear lines between the two. The Whiskey Wench found Crown Royal Blackberry overly sweet but lifted by a tart finish, while Jack Daniel’s Blackberry was smoother and syrupy.
Secret Whiskey Society was more direct, saying Jack has “a much better whiskey backbone” and is the one he would drink neat. Emily Hunt at Tasting Table described Jack as “well-rounded,” with blackberry enhancing rather than masking the Old No. 7 base.
I did, almost miraculously, manage to get my hands on a bottle of Crown Royal Blackberry here in the UK. I found it sweet on the nose but also slightly medicinal. It reminded me of children’s cough syrup.
On the palate, it reminded me of Parma Violets (my fellow Brits will know what I mean), very sweet with little whisky tone. I would use this with a mixer, but probably wouldn’t drink it neat.
I have not yet tried Jack Daniel’s Blackberry, so I will reserve the right to update my comments. However, early reviews suggest it offers more balance and a more noticeable whiskey influence than the Crown Royal.
Canadian vs Tennessee
The difference in base whiskey helps explain the contrast. Crown Royal is a Canadian blend, known for lightness and smoothness. That makes it easy for the blackberry flavor to dominate.
Jack Daniel’s is a Tennessee whiskey, charcoal mellowed and aged in new oak. Even when diluted with liqueur, it brings oak, vanilla, and a touch of spice. This gives Jack Daniel’s Blackberry more structure and depth than Crown Royal.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry Wins
Both bottles deliver a sweet blackberry hit that works well in summer cocktails. Crown Royal Blackberry is fun but leans more toward liqueur than whisky, making it best as a mixer.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry still has those sweet and tart blackberry flavors, but carries more whiskey character. For anyone who wants fruit and whiskey in one glass, Jack Daniel’s takes the win.
Have you tried Crown Royal Blackberry and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry? Which do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below, and stand by for a review when I manage to get my hands on a bottle of JD Blackberry.
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