Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

This is actually not too bad. I expected worse, from a lower-shelf crown offering, but was pleasantly surprised. At its heart, it's rich and spicy, though the flavors are hard to distinguish- I imagine it's due to the blend's age and price point. But, the nose is sweet and reminds me of baked apples and cinnamon, there's brown sugar, oak and rye on the palate, and a strange finish that morphs from the spicy rye to a more fruity, plum-ey taste with a sweet mintiness that lingers for quite a while. Was more of a 3 when I opened it but enjoyed it more as I drank it.

I hadn't drunk a 90% rye until this came in on a bargin and last year's world whiskey award recommendations. I can see the notes are talking it down, but let us take it from where it is. Raisins. Raisins and a good spiciness. It's good. The aroma is nice and fruity, but the tongue feel is thin and the after taste is as well. It finishes short. The rye seems to give a good antidote to the sweetness of other north american corn based distillates. It's a full 90% rye in the mash bill, which makes it an unusual offering. I don't know what the remaining 10% is. Overall, I like it's approach and can see myself drinking more rye. But it needs to pick up the end of the dram to earn more from me. Might be best in cocktails well married rather than a sipping whiskey. I'll give it 85% for what it is.