Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

It's definitely pretty good but for me personally leaves a bit to be desired. Compared to Redemption Rye (similar mashbill) it's a decent but smoother. The Redemption will punch you in the face with it's spiced/Rye nose. I suspect this mashbill has corn in it where the redemption does not. While this Rye is by no means bad I personally find it a bit lacking in terms of what I like in my flavor profiles. It takes a bit of the Rye punch off which can be good or bad depending on what you're in the mood for, but beyond the subtle/interesting nose (for a high rye mash) this ain't got much going for it. It's simply too smooth/subtle after the nose to really get much of anything. Obviously these reviews are subjective. If you can find this whiskey decently priced (<$35) then see for yourself if you like it. I definitely think it's pretty good but I can get stuff I prefer for the price. Namely Knob Creek Rye if you want the best of both worlds (of a rye with high corn in the mash) or Redemption Rye if you want the true, high/pure Rye experience.

Barreled review from December 2016. Another review from the brother in laws Canadian home bar. This whisky is 90% rye, not sure what the other 10% is but I would guess either corn or wheat. This one is 45% ABV, a copper amber color that I'm sure has colorant in it and probably chill filtered. Rye bread a plenty on the nose and again I get some baked fish. It's an odd sort of sensation to get fish on the nose of a whisky. There is some vanilla and cinnamon as well. Nicer than the Canadian Club I had just before this, but not remarkably so. Very light fruitiness in the background. Remarkably smooth palate that is spicy at the same time. Rye bread, and a bit floral. A hint of vanilla in there as well. There is something that gives a cooling sensation reminiscent of mint or menthol without the taste of either. Hard to describe further than that. Granted my knowledge of ryes is limited, with almost no American ryes under my belt, but I could see myself buying a bottle of this if I felt like a rye. I know it's a blend and therefore engineered to be smooth and easy to drink, but it's good. I don't believe it's whisky of the year good, but good nonetheless. 3.5