Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye Review

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is the Canadian whisky that was named the best in the world in a hugely publicised 2015 verdict, a decision that launched a thousand arguments and a great many bar stools. This Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye review is about a 45% rye-heavy blend that is spicy, fruity and softer than the headlines suggested, and the Caskable score is 74 out of 100.

It is a good, affordable rye with a bit more bite than the Deluxe. It is also a whisky that has been burdened with more hype than it deserves, and I will try not to add to it.

What is Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye?

Crown Royal is the Diageo-owned Canadian brand famous for the purple bag. The Northern Harvest Rye was launched in 2015 as a rye-forward version of the standard blend, with a mash bill described as 90% rye. It is bottled at 45%, noticeably stronger than the 40% Deluxe, and has no age statement. My rye whiskey guide explains how American and Canadian ryes differ.

In Canada, “rye” is a loose term, historically applied to any Canadian whisky, regardless of how much rye it contains. This one is a genuine high-rye whisky, which makes it unusual for the mainstream. My whisky rules compared explainer covers the legal context.

The 2015 World Whisky of the Year award drew attention and scepticism in equal measure. The publicity helped sales, and the whisky has stuck around, which tells you the bottle has some merit beyond the headline.

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye tasting notes

The nose is baking spices, cereal and light wood spices, and very fruity, with a bit of a fruity rosé-wine character and a bourbon profile. That is an odd and interesting combination. It smells like fruit salad with a pinch of cinnamon.

The palate moves through gentle oak, butterscotch and spiced vanilla, then soft peppery notes. It is a perfectly good, affordable rye whisky, with sweet notes balanced by classic rye spice. It is a pleasant, rounded rye with a bit of spice, rather than a bold, peppery one.

The finish is smooth and creamy, with a trace of pepper. At 45% it has more weight than the Deluxe, and the extra strength helps. I would say it is a better whisky than the Deluxe for sipping, and a poorer one for mixing with cola. My score of 74 puts it two points behind the Deluxe, because the sweetness and smoothness of the Deluxe win in the broader market.

How to drink Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

Neat, with a splash of water, or over a single large cube. At 45% it has enough body to be interesting. The spice is soft, so it is easy to drink.

In cocktails, it makes a smooth Manhattan and a soft Old Fashioned. A Whiskey Sour works well, and a Sazerac is passable, though a spicier rye would be better.

What to know before you buy Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

The bottle is the usual Crown Royal shape, with a dark label, and a purple bag. Check that you are buying the Northern Harvest Rye and not the Deluxe or the Black. The ABV is 45% in the UK and most export markets.

It pairs well with roast pork, cheddar, apple pie and maple-glazed salmon. The sweetness and spice make it a good partner for rich food.

The award effect

It is hard to talk about Northern Harvest Rye without talking about the award. When it was named the best whisky in the world, the reaction was a mix of delight in Canada and incredulity everywhere else. It is a mainstream blend, widely available, and not obviously a contender for such an award. That reaction says more about the politics of whisky than about the whisky itself.

I think the award did the whisky a mixed favour. It brought a lot of attention, and with it a lot of disappointment from people who expected something transcendent. Taken on its own terms, as a smooth, spicy, affordable rye, it is perfectly good. The best advice is to forget the headline and judge the bottle in front of you. It is a better whisky than its detractors say and a lesser one than its fans claimed.

Is Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye worth the money?

At about £35 for 70 cl it is fair. Crown Royal Deluxe comes in at roughly £30 and scores 76. For about £38, Sazerac Rye scores 75. Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond is priced at about £40 and scores 73.

It costs more than the Deluxe and scores lower, and it scores a point lower than Sazerac Rye at a similar price. That is not a strong value case. If you want a rye with a Canadian twist, it is a fine choice. Check the retailer link before buying.

Alternatives to Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

If Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is not quite what you are after, these are the bottles I would look at next. Each one has its own review on the site, with a score and a price.

Who should buy Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye?

Crown Royal fans who want more spice, and drinkers who find American ryes too sharp. It is a gentle introduction to rye. If you want maximum character, look elsewhere.

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye review verdict

A soft, fruity, mildly spicy 45% Canadian rye with more hype than its flavour justifies. Pleasant and sensible. Caskable score: 74 out of 100.