Say what you will about Jim Murray but I think the whisky world needs people to shake up the traditional orthodoxy and to generate conversation and controversy. Crown Royal Rye is a noticeable step up from the standard Crown Royal (2 stars in my estimation). Some nice spiciness on the nose, a vanilla sweetness and palate and mellow peppery finish. There's none of the overbearing, cloying manufactured taste of the standard bottling. Of course this is overrated, but it's an affordable Canadian rye that's easy to drink neat. Recommended.