Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

The nose is reminiscent of walking into the kitchen when someone is baking pies; I get apple with raisin and mincemeat, with a handful of fall spices...very unique, especially from a standard bearer such as CR. The palate is another surprise, opening soft and fruity, almost like an unpeated Highland, before moving into a very mellow mint that takes you to a slightly woody, astringent finish with just enough alcohol burn to ensure it's not overly sweet. This is good whisky, and well worth seeking out.

I am Canadian. I am very happy that Jim Murray put Canadian whisky on the map (again). Do I think this is a whisky of the year candidate. No, not really. Is this a good whisky? Yup, it is. It can be used as a sipper or mixed into a cocktail very easily. Here in Ontario it costs $34. I'd take a $34 whisky that tastes like this as an everyday dram any day (love the 45 ABV too). Though I have to admit, for $5 more, I'd still go with the Lot 40 (one of the great Canadian whisky's that's been ignored until recently).