It has been one thousand, five hundred and fifty-nine days since I last did a tasting of Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. It was very shortly after the whisky’s original release. It was also about a day or two before I found myself suddenly self-employed after going through a lay-off at the company I’d worked for for the previous seven years. I absolutely hated my job, but really sort of liked the money that it paid me. And, not so surprisingly, I was nervous about the new adventure I was about to embark upon.
And though I was right to be nervous, I’ve landed on my feet and even thrived. I actually make more money in my various self-employed business ventures than I did as a corporate shill for a “school” that preyed on the poor and undereducated. And plus I think it is nicer to wake up everyday thinking that you are making the world a little better than it was to wake up hoping beyond hope that you wouldn’t end up making it even worse before the day was done.
So what does all that have to do with Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye? Nothing, really. Not aside from the coincidental timing of the previous review. Plus, it’s always nice to throw a little shade at a shady ex-employer.
Of course the 90% Rye whisky from Crown Royal has had a few things happen to it in the meantime as well. It won the title of 2016 World Whisky of the Year from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and 2017 Canadian Whisky of the Year from the same publication. It also won Sippin’ Whiskey of the year at the 2017 Canadian Whisky Awards. Not too shabby for a $25 bottle.
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Purchase Info: $24.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Total Wine, Burnsville, MN
Details: 45% ABV.
Nose: Wrigley's Spearmint Gum, nutmeg, cedar.
Mouth: Tingly but gentle. Vanilla, cinnamon, mint.
Finish: Medium length and gentle. Cinnamon, cedar and mint.
Thoughts: Cinnamon and mint make a fine pairing and the cedar notes give it a nice herbal twist. I haven't purchased this since the last time I reviewed it but have often considered doing so. I think that the gentleness made me want to walk past it for something more robust. But it is nice to sip something elegant now and then as well. Plus, I found that it works nicely in cocktails that call for Bulleit rye. I like this, hopefully I don't wait another four years to try this again.
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