Up for review today is Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. Most whiskey drinkers are familiar with the iconic regular Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky in the purple bag within the purple box. It has been a major player in whiskey for as long as we can remember. And while the original does have rye in the mash bill it is not considered a rye.
Crown Royal Northern Rye sells for around $26, bottled at 90 proof, is widely available, and comes in the same ornate bottle as the original, and with the same screw top cap. Boo to the screw top, for some reason we like a bottle to have a cork. We could not determine the age, and as for the mash bill, the bottle states it is 90% rye, no amount of digging answered the question of what was the other 10%.
We have never been huge fans of Canadian whisky, like Canadian Club, Windsor, and the like. Even the original Crown Royal, which we liked when we were younger has lost its luster. They all seem very similar and don’t seem to have much complexity. When we meet someone who really likes one of them, they always state how smooth they are, we will give you that, they are smooth, but so is water. Hopefully, Northern Rye can be the exception and offer some complexity and nuance that the others lacked.
NOSE
Todd: Rye, lots of spicy rye, beyond that just very slight scents of wood, and a sweetness that I cannot describe any farther.
Matt: Very light aroma making it hard to pick anything out. Did get a little vanilla as well as a little apple.
TASTE
Todd: Again, like the nose, the rye is very powerful. Secondary flavors include vanilla, oak, and maybe a little pepper. Pretty easy to drink neat, ice didn’t really change anything.
Matt: I agree, spicey rye upfront with cinnamon, clove, and vanilla behind.
FINISH
Todd: Medium with a some more rye and sweetness.
Matt: Finish is like the taste, fades away like the conversation on the way home from visiting family you don’t like.
OVERALL
Todd: If you like your drink to taste like rye and not much else, this is for you.
Matt: Not too complex, but it is spicey, so it would make for a decent cocktail.
Nose 3 out of 5
Taste 6.5 out of 10
Finish 2.5 out of 5
Total score 12 out of 20 barrels.
Well, truth be told, Northern Rye is probably better than our final score reflects. It is only $26 and has a very strong rye taste and smell. It is approachable, so could be a started whiskey for someone just getting into the genre. Also makes for a decent Old Fashioned. The bottle is cool and well known so you might have guests who ask for it.
Crown Royal Northern Rye is better than the other Canadian Whiskies we have tried, but it still falls into the problems we have mentioned, it is just not overly complex. But hey, it is very smooth.
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