BourbonEnthusiast.com

Ive really taken to ryes lately, and I stare this one down whenever in the whiskey aisle, but never can get myself to buy it for two reasons...

1, Ive never had any Crown Royal of any kind

2, Im not quite sure what a 'blend' is to CR. is it an aged rye mixed with GNS?



anyone had this one?

Not had this one but we can be assured there is no GNS in Canadian blends. Canadian law requires any spirit be aged at least three years before it can be bottled as whisky either as a stand alone or in a blend. What the Canucks do is distill grain mash to a very high proof (180 or so) then age it in used oak barrels for at least three years. This produces a very light (by Bourbon standards) clean whisky to use as a base for blends with more hearty flavoring whiskys (Bourbon or Rye mash) used to add character.

Canadian producers pretty much follow the Scots' model for blends but due to a quirk in Canadian liquor laws a blend can be labeled a Rye whisky so long as it has the character of a Rye flavored whisky.

Also, as elsewhere, all the whisky in an age stated Canadian must be at least as old as the age statement.

Somebody really likes Crown Royal rye because the "Whisky Bible" has named it this year's "world's best whiskey".
At $25-$30 per bottle anyone can try it, that is if you can find it.

Another option is to check with your local store and see if they have the 50mil bottle of the RC Northern Harvest Rye. It will give you a taste without committing to a entire bottle.