In a controversial win, Crown Royal's Northern Harvest Rye took the 2016 Best Whisky award. While rumored to vary greatly among batch numbers, it was met with great cynicism and critique. I've had a tiny bottle on my bar for a while and figured that I may as well finally open it, hot on the heels of another Canadian rye win. The nose gives me a rustic mix of hay, green apple and malt. Sips are peppery and subside quickly to sweet candied fruit. Northern Harvest feels quite light and has a short, dry finish with a peppermint refreshing quality. Truthfully, I enjoy the nose more than the palate. This rye is easy to drink, but it lacks the nuance and precision that I admire in my other personal "best of" whiskies.  7/10