Okay, so after Jim Murray's declaration of this as the "best whisky in the world", I finally bought a bottle. More so out of curiousity than anything else; normally I'd not even consider Crown Royal ( my apologies...not as a snob, but if I'm going to have my liver take a hit, I want it worthwhile). I'm not sure if Murray actually meant this as the "best" in the world, or simply "most unappreciated". The nose is floral and fragrant, palette is very un-rye like. By that I mean that I can't detect the usual suspects like mint and eucalyptus cough syrup. Instead I taste more spices, like nutmeg. And candied banana. Sort of like those sweet banana chips you find south of the border (like Mexico...not N.Carolina). Finish is smooth. I didn't expect this smoothness. I expected a fiery, bitter finish indicative of youth or poor quality. I was pleasantly surprised. Crown Royal can be drunk as is, without mixing into soda?!!? My very humble verdict...If in the next life, I am born as a world famous whiskey writer (among other things like famous bollywood movie star, husband of a Brazilian supermodel, and avid collector of Lamboriginis), I'm not sure I'd have this as my "best whisky in the world" choice. I'd not even have this as my favorite rye (that for me is High West MidWinter). But I'd surely have this as "most under-appreciated" choice. And I'm sure my gorgeous Brazilian supermodel will fully concur, as will my billions of Bollywood fans.