First Impressions
When Jim Murray named Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye the World Whisky of the Year in his 2016 Whisky Bible, the Scotch and bourbon worlds nearly fell off their stools. A Canadian whisky? Beating every single malt and Kentucky bourbon on earth? Pour a dram and the controversy melts away — this is rye with serious backbone.
Distillery & Heritage
Made at the Gimli Distillery on the shores of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba — the same plant that produces Crown Royal Deluxe — Northern Harvest is unusual in being built around a 90% rye mashbill, far higher than most Canadian blends. It launched in 2015 as a tribute to the Prairie rye farmers who supply Crown Royal, and within months Murray had handed it the highest score in his Bible.
Tasting Notes in Detail
The nose leads with that classic rye combination of pumpernickel and dill, layered over Crown Royal's signature vanilla softness. The palate is where it earns its stripes — properly spicy, with clove and black pepper riding on top of caramelised oak and a faint orchard fruit sweetness. The finish is long, dry and peppery, the kind of rye fade that rewards a slow sip.
Verdict
Whether or not you agree with Murray's superlatives, Northern Harvest is a brilliant rye and astonishing value. It single-handedly forced the world to take Canadian whisky seriously again.
