The Best Whisky In the World Costs $30?

[MIKA27]

The Best Whisky In the World Costs $30

Jim Murray and the people of Scotland are going to have words soon.

Last year, Murray named the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 as the best whisky of the year. Now, for his 2016 edition of the Whisky Bible, here's a bottle from Canada. Crown Royal Northern Rye is Jim Murray’s pick for the World Whisky of the Year. The Canadian rye has classic rye spicy notes and a smooth finish. Oh, and it costs $30. Yes, the best whisky in the world costs just a little bit more than a bottle of Jack.

You can view some of the other winners here.

[Ken Gargett]

The Best Whisky In the World Costs $30

Jim Murray and the people of Scotland are going to have words soon.

Last year, Murray named the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 as the best whisky of the year. Now, for his 2016 edition of the Whisky Bible, here's a bottle from Canada. Crown Royal Northern Rye is Jim Murray’s pick for the World Whisky of the Year. The Canadian rye has classic rye spicy notes and a smooth finish. Oh, and it costs $30. Yes, the best whisky in the world costs just a little bit more than a bottle of Jack.

You can view some of the other winners here.

any idea how much does value factor in the decision?

[JohnS]

Won't be long until it costs closer to $250!

[Baldy]

Picked up 3 bottles of these today and like it. Normally I'm not a fan of Canadian whiskey. In Canada they are flying off the shelves, if you can find it in the first place. Love the idea that a lower price product can rate this high.

[Ken Gargett]

just had a squizz at your link (ta for that) and i see it is a category called 'world whiskies of the year'. there is not a single scot there. in the top five. so does that mean 'world whiskies' is a seperate 'no-scottish' category or does he see not a single scot in the top five?

and from the look, answering my own earlier question, it seems on quality alone.

[skalls]

They had a whisky tasty at the new liquor store near my house. This was there along with a few others. I was not impressed. It wasn't bad, but for less money and slightly higher proof Buffalo Trace is much much better.

There really isn't a scotch at that price point that I'd put above it, at least single malts. I enjoy JW Black more than this and it's usually a bit above $30. At $50 then theres Machir Bar, Ardbeg 10, Clynesh, Ardmore 12 and so many others that I've enjoyed and believe to be much better,

[garbandz]

NAS............90% Rye BLENDED.............really confusing.

[sastrooper]

You might not of heard of crown royal, but you might of heard about the parent company, diageo, enough said

[ChanceSchmerr]

If you like Crown Royal already, you'll like it. If you don't care for Canadian Whisky - this won't change your mind. I got three bottles in Ontario after the announcement and shared one with some Canadian Friends over the weekend (and I'll do the same with the second bottle with my London whisky society).

I didn't think it was better even than Alberta Premium Rye. And it's certainly not even close to the complexity or tastiness of a fine single malt like Ardbeg or Springbank. PASS

[sengjc]

any idea how much does value factor in the decision?

I think quite a bit more than other critics. It is not the first time, the humble Ballantines 17 Year Old Blended Scotch was once crowned Whisky of the Year by Jim too.

[ChanceSchmerr]

I think quite a bit more than other critics. It is not the first time, the humble Ballantines 17 Year Old Blended Scotch was once crowned Whisky of the Year by Jim too.

And was equally pedestrian in taste. Considering the sky-high marks JM normally gives to nearly all Ballantines malts - Have to figure he's got some personal interests there...

[Rye]

I take this list about as seriously as the Cigar Afficionado top lists.

I haven't tried this juice yet, but I will soon I'm sure. If it sucks I'll add ginger ale

[sengjc]

And was equally pedestrian in taste. Considering the sky-high marks JM normally gives to nearly all Ballantines malts - Have to figure he's got some personal interests there...

You are right, he's seems to like the Ballantines brand.

[dangolf18]

Just bought a bottle. Best whiskey in the world? Yea freakin right. Average stuff at best.

Honestly save your money and buy any other rye in that price range.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wrangler]

I'm a huge Crown Royal fan. I need to get a bottle and try it out.

[Lotusguy]

The Monarch was nice. This stuff is mediocre at best.

[Baldy]

The Monarch was nice. This stuff is mediocre at best.

For my taste, I disagree, the Monarch was OK at best. Northern Harvest is growing on me. For my palate it's worth having around. I can sip on Northern Harvest but prefer the Monarch with a healthy amount of Coe. I bought and drank Northern Harvest for what it is a rye whiskey. I don't expect it to be a scotch or to replace a scotch. For that, there's a reason why I buy scotches.

[Lotusguy]

For my taste, I disagree, the Monarch was OK at best. Northern Harvest is growing on me. For my palate it's worth having around. I can sip on Northern Harvest but prefer the Monarch with a healthy amount of Coe. I bought and drank Northern Harvest for what it is a rye whiskey. I don't expect it to be a scotch or to replace a scotch. For that, there's a reason why I buy scotches.

Tastes definitely differ

My favorite Rye is the Lot 40 - runs circles around the Northern Harvest.

[Rye]

My notes for my international friends that may, or may not be trying to source some of this juice.

My advice, is wait until the hype simmers down as it is experiencing a "Cabbage Patch doll" effect now

I grabbed a bottle at the liquor depot in Walden, south Calgary, which they kept behind the counter and brought out on request. No golden sack included.

$39.35 all in.

I brought it to my local mom & pop store in Cochrane and opened it and shared with everyone who came in. Most comments were "pretty good for a Crown Royal" "far from the best in the world" and even a couple of "what should I mix it with" questions.

I'm happy I was able to let many sample it and save a few folks from all the hype.

I have always enjoyed rye whiskies, and crown royals take is just that to me.

Crown Royals version of a rye. Smoothed out, bite removed, decent drop.

I would like a bit more bite, perhaps from a stronger abv, and maybe a longer finish, but it's a very approachable whisky and a good entry level choice for those not used to drinking neat, or paying what we do for a good malt.

If I had to give it a score out of 100, I'd go 79 given that my first taste was from a plastic shooter cup. The right glass could fetch it another couple points, as would it gain a point for presentation if I got one of the marble bags.

This may seem like a low score, but it's actually very high for a sub-$40 juice for me.

I agree with the famous guy that the nose was fantastic, and changes dramatically with air & time, but it wasn't perfect, as I didn't get a raging boner. That would be a perfect whiskey!

[Pilsner14]

Very smooth....no bite. Fruity to the nose. I like it. Not sure about worlds best but to one man............it is. And people take stock in that. To me......I like what I like and this can only provide one more option at the liquor dome in my cart. #crowntown

[srbbones]

I just tasted this Crown Royal recently. Just for kicks, I later tasted Cutty Sark Prohibition (similar price/availability)

I found the Crown Royal very good, but I liked the Cutty Sark better. Certainly, I think the Crown Royal is worth the $30, but "whiskey of the year?". Seems like this fellow Murray is prioritizing sending some type of message over actually being a reviewer of whiskey.

I have never followed him, and this doesn't make me want to start.

[garbandz]

Ask Jim Murray about Gurkha cigars...............