Well, books-on-beverages types, Jim Murray’s 2016 Whisky Bible has just left the printer’s. Crown Royal took home World Whisky of the Year honors with its Northern Harvest Rye. It’s the first Canadian Whisky to snag this distinction.
Murray says of the rye, “to say this is a masterpiece is barely doing it justice.” He gave it a 97.5 out of 100 points.
Northern Harvest Rye is CR’s first ever blended, 90% rye, which the company describes as delivering “a smooth and spicy flavor profile.” That’s not a combination easy to find anywhere.
The brand of the purple bag has been in business for some seventy-five years, and was born to celebrate a visit to Canada by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Those two could put it away.
Speaking of: Jim Murray tasted no less than a thousand whiskies in making his selection. That must have taken, like, most of the afternoon. In any case, he says that people will probably be surprised that a Canadian brand took home the Whisky of the Year award. Last year, Murray pulled a shocker by selecting Yamazaki, a Japanese single malt Scotch.
Murray has now pumped out thirteen editions of his Bible. Other big winners this year include:
Scotch of the Year: Glenfarclas Family Cask 1957
European Whisky: English Whisky Co. Chapter 16
European Whisky (single cask): Kornog Taorarc’h Chwec’hved 14
So, if you thought you’d write a thick book about all the whiskies, that’s already taken. But you can have a whisky-tasting feat with your friends, letting the opinions fly fast and furious.
