Crossword Genius

Champion whiskey bar? The one in the Crown (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

winner

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'champion' is the definition.
(I know that champion can be written as winner)

'whiskey bar? the one in the crown' is the wordplay.
'whiskey' becomes 'W' (alpha bravo charlie delta ...).
'bar?' becomes 'inn' (I've seen this in other clues).
'the one in the crown' becomes 'er' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'w'+'inn'+'er'='WINNER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for winner that I've seen before include "One that came first" , "Victor" , "success" , "The champ" , "Conqueror" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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