Crown Royal XR Red vs Blue: What’s the Difference?

Updated June 2026.

These are two Extra Rare bottlings, not a trophy pair. Official Crown Royal pages print XR (Red) at 40% — first edition, final Waterloo stocks, no longer in production — and current XR at 40%, a blend that includes final LaSalle batches. Extra Rare is brand language, not a TTB class. Canadian whisky is the FDR class. A 1.5-ounce pour at 40% is one NIAAA drink. No ranking or street price.

Related: Canadian whisky, bourbon vs Canadian, Pendleton vs Crown.

Label vs pour

Language 1.5 oz drinks
XR (Red) 1.00
Current XR 1.00
Extra Rare
Canadian whisky 1.00 at 40%

A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four pours are four drinks. Pour math: whiskey drinks.

Sources

  • crownroyal.com extra-rare: 40%; LaSalle. crownroyal.com red-label: 40%; Waterloo first edition; no longer in production.
  • FDR Canadian whisky. 27 CFR 5.143. NIAAA December 2025. No ranking or street price.

Leave a Comment