Spirits giant Diageo has, for the last few years, plumbed the archives of its various North American aging warehouses for older whiskey to drop into its Orphan Barrel line up. Some have met with solid success, while others not so much. A new bottling has now emerged from the depths of Canadian whisky player Crown Royal in the form of Entrapment.
Orphan Barrel Entrapment, according to those behind it, is a 25 year old whisky distilled and aged at the massive Crown Royal distillery in Gimli, Canada. It represents the eleventh release in this particular Diageo line up, and is the first Canadian whisky to be part of the portfolio.
Entrapment, bottled at 41% ABV, has a mash bill that’s very corn forward focused at 97% corn and 3% malted barley. As the story goes from Diageo on its origins, “occasionally when using full blends of Crown Royal there is a small quantity of barrels that didn’t fit into that full blend. These barrels in particular are moved around the warehouse to make room for newly filled barrels. These barrels aren’t necessarily forgotten, but instead not chosen for another blend becoming almost hidden treasures. The whisky is distilled and aged at the Crown Royal distillery in Gimli, Canada and hand-bottled in Tullahoma, Tennessee.”
Though this appears to be a limited edition release, how many bottles will be specifically available was not revealed. The whisky will price at around $150, and you’ll find limited official tasting notes below.
Beginning with a vanilla, toffee and a delicate toasted oak scent, Entrapment tastes light and creamy with hints of tobacco and walnut. The finish is warm with notes of dried fruits reminiscent of plums and raisins.