Quote:
Originally Posted by Drolefille
Since the Queen will be attending the Derby, what will she be drinking?
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Well... from what I saw on TV she is getting this...
LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In an effort to create
a memorable gift for Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the 2007 Kentucky Derby
on Saturday, May 5, Diageo, the world's largest spirits company, blended
the most expensive and rare Crown Royal Whisky ever created.
(Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070503/AQTH074 )
After all Crown Royal Canadian Blended Whisky was originally made for
the Queen's parents in 1939 to commemorate their Grand Tour of Canada. As a
tribute, Joseph E. Seagram's & Sons Inc. ordered the preparation of a
commemorative blend for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Placed aboard
their private, cross-country train, Crown Royal was a special gift for the
royal couple that was respected for their knowledge and appreciation of
fine whiskies.
A fire at the Seagram's Waterloo Distillery in Ontario destroyed the
facility, where a limited number of whisky barrels could be salvaged. Crown
Royal blender Andrew MacKay, selected the rarest remaining barrels with
some of the highest rye content and personally supervised production of
what is now known as Crown Royal XR Extra Rare Heritage Blend. A truly
priceless creation, if the whisky were to have a price tag, a suggested
retail price would likely begin at $10,000. The blend has been made
exclusively for Her Majesty.
Diageo commissioned Casey Hyland, a master glass designer at
Louisville's Glassworks, to create a custom glass decanter, etched with 24
K gold leaf, as unique as the whiskey that will fill it.
"We see this blend's special creation as a way to celebrate Crown
Royal's distinct origin to North America," said David Tapscott, Brand
Director for Crown Royal. "We have accomplished something unique and
special with creating the most expensive Crown Royal whisky we have ever
made, then using local craftsmen to express the very special message we
wish to bestow upon Her Majesty to commemorate Her visit to Churchill
Downs."
Diageo and Crown Royal have a long history in supporting equine events.
On Friday, May 4, they will sponsor the Crown Royal American Turf Stakes
just before the famed Kentucky Oaks at Louisville's legendary racetrack,
Churchill Downs. The race is one and one-sixteenth miles, with a purse of
$150,000. Both Thursday and Friday at Churchill, Crown Royal sponsors the
"Festival in the Field" providing music by local and national acts. Kansas
headlines Thursday's event.
The company has also created the Crown Royal Turf specifically for the
Kentucky Derby, which uses 3 ounces of orange juice, 1 and 1/2 ounces of
Crown Royal, garnished with a sprig of fresh parsley.
About Crown Royal:
Crown Royal, the number one selling whisky in the U.S. by value, has a
tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to
commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen
Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth, elegant style
reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian
whisky. In addition to its motorsports sponsorships, the brand also
sponsors The Crown Royal Bad Boys of Comedy Tour, the Crown Royal American Turf stakes race at Churchill Downs and a number of other major regional and national events. For more information on Crown Royal, visit
http://www.crownroyal.com.
