Crown Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrel Aged Review
Old barrels never tasted so good.
I found this Crown Maple Bourbon Barrel Aged syrup at Costco. I’ll be honest: I didn’t know precisely what “bourbon barrel aged” meant. Not exactly. But I like maple syrup, and I like bourbon flavor, so I bought a bottle. Well, I actually bought two bottles. They were on sale. So there.
So, how exactly is this syrup made? The Crown Maple website describes this condiment thus:
“We start with exceptionally crafted, estate-produced, select-quality, 100% pure organic maple syrup. Then, we age the syrup in barrels that had super-premium, 8 to 10-year-old Bourbon allowing the distinctive flavors & aromas of bourbon, smoky oak, graham cracker, brown butter & creamy vanilla to infuse from the oak. Crown Maple Bourbon Barrel Aged organic maple syrup presents layers of exceptional flavors.”
So, old barrels. Old, used, barrels. Interesting.
I know I’m a snarky curmudgeon, but I’m always amused by how coffee, wine, and chocolate manufacturers describe the flavors of their products, and I feel the same here. Graham crackers? Really?
The label says it may contain trace amounts of alcohol. Saucy old barrels!
This fancy-pants, potentially boozy syrup is packed in thickkk glass bottles with a snazzy seal over the lid. It’s a sleek presentation that makes this syrup look extra sophisticated. In fact, the label says “Limited Edition,” although I’m not sure how “limited” anything is when it’s sold in bulk at Costco. (Fun fact: did you know there are 128 million Costco members worldwide?)
I’m planning to use the second bottle as a hostess gift. Except, now I’ll have to find a recipient who isn’t reading my blog! Alas.
Alright, so what does this maple syrup actually taste like? Welp. It tastes like maple syrup. The end.
No, just kidding. It does have some extra flavor. Not a lot. But, there’s a smidge of deeper, more complex taste here. It’s only a whisper, but it’s there. Graham cracker whispers — metaphorical crumbs, and all.
Let me be clear: I absolutely don’t dislike this syrup, but I do feel it was overhyped a bit. It doesn’t have an especially strong flavor. And I don’t mean only the “bourbon barrel” taste, but just in general. It tastes like a lighter variety of maple syrup. In fact, it was a much lighter taste and appearance than I expected, probably from the dark color of the bottle. The thick glass gave the illusion of a darker product, I guess? IDK.
The label on the front of the bottle says “Robust Flavor,” which is often used to describe grades of maple syrup with a darker color and more intense maple taste. To me, this tastes like a lighter Amber-grade maple syrup. Here’s some interesting information on different “grades” of maple syrup, from the University of New Hampshire.
Because my camera has a perverse desire to make the maple syrup look darker than it actually does in real life, here is a side-by-side comparison with Kirkland Organic Maple Syrup, which is also described on the label as “robust.”
I also didn’t discern much bourbon taste. I guess I also interpreted the “Robust Flavor” to imply a robust bourbon flavor. But no. Maybe my maple syrup was “aged” in a particularly tired old barrel that had already given away all it’s bourbon deliciousness. Like The Giving Tree, perhaps my barrel just had nothing left to offer. Poor old barrel.
Or maybe my tastebuds are addled. I don’t know. But I really don’t taste (or smell) an enormous difference between this syrup and regular maple syrup. Sorry, I was hoping to report otherwise!
That’s not to say this isn’t delicious syrup. I mean, it’s maple syrup! Maple syrup is yummy no matter what! I will never turn down maple syrup, old barrels or otherwise. It’s also organic, although that means absolutely nothing to my tastebuds.
After poking around the Crown Maple website for a bit, I realized they also sell Strawberry “infused” maple syrup, and a Blueberry flavor. Interesting. I want to crack more jokes about old barrels, but I’m not going to. Like these bourbon barrels, I’m tired. I’m going to bed. You’re welcome.
Ingredients in Crown Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrel Aged
A short ingredient list, indeed:
- Organic Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
As previously mentioned, the label says it may contain trace amounts of alcohol.
Nutrition Facts in Crown Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrel Aged
A serving is 2 tablespoons, and contains 110 calories and 24 grams of sugar.
The Crown Maple website states the following:
- 100% Pure
- Certified Organic
- Grade A
- Kosher
- Gluten-Free
- NON-GMO
- Low Glycemic
- High in Antioxidants
- Paleo Friendly
Cost for Crown Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrel Aged
I bought mine at Costco. A 750 ml bottle costs $15.99, but I got mine on sale for $11.69.
There are 25 servings per bottle, which means each serving costs 64 cents at the non-sale price. For an organic maple syrup, this is not a bad price, even without old barrels getting involved.
You can also find this at Sam’s Club, Amazon, Wal-Mart, and other retailers.
More Reviews You Might Like (or Hate)
Check out these other slightly eccentric reviews I’ve recently written:
- Candied Ginger in Syrup — Zenzero Fabbri
- Strawberries in Syrup: Fragola Fabbri
- Famous Dave’s Sweet ‘n Spicy Pickles
- Mario Snack Olives Review
Author’s note: I wasn’t paid to write this review, and I have no affiliation with Crown Maple nor Costco. I apologize to anyone who came here expecting a “normal” review. Ha!
