Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye – Review

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye WhiskyCrown Royal Northern Harvest 90% Rye Whisky

90 Proof

Price Point: $25 – $35 for 750 ML

Distiller: The Crown Royal Distilling Company

Background

Third try’s the charm, right?  This review marks my third Canadian whisky review in a row, a pattern that’s a first for me and likely a last.  Reviewing Canadian Club and Seagram’s V.O. were borderline painful, but here I am ready to (potentially) take another beating to my nose and palate.

This time, we’re taking a look, and taste, of Crown Royal’s foray into rye whisky – a Canadian tradition.  I’m crossing my fingers that this dram will prove better than the previous ones.

Review

Black cherries coming in strong on the nose followed by Sharpie marker.  Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye exhibits quite a bit of sweet rye, which makes this seem like it was born in Kentucky, not Canada.  It’s slightly spicy as you let the whisky breathe; a pleasurable nose.

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is sweet and fruity on the palate.  It’s full flavored and only a little bitter on the tail end.  The peppery rye flavor is there, but subdued by the sweetness.  This is a really nicely balanced and flavorful whisky.

The finish here is rich with a healthy does of rye spiciness.  It reminds me of Sazerac 6 Year Old.

Rating & Recommendations

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye earns a rating of 85 out of 100.

This is a surprisingly good rye.  After Lot 40 and this dram, I’m starting to think that Canadian distillers may be onto something with ryes.

 

-Ryan

3 comments

    • neill on March 5, 2020 at 6:04 pm
    • Reply

    kentucy whiskey tatse like it did 100 years ago .came through a radiator or what ever i drink tennessee
    or candian spirts would not try this if it tatses like kentucy whiskey.and i enjoy royal crown

    • D. Passman on October 4, 2020 at 11:23 pm
    • Reply

    I once asked a mature Canadian gentleman, “What’s the best Canadian whiskey?” He replied, “One distilled in Scotland.”

  1. Sounds as if its great value, at that price point. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Cheers, Ed

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