NORWALK, Conn., Nov. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned
whisky writer Jim Murray today
announced Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye as the 2016 World Whisky
of the Year, marking the first time a Canadian Whisky has received
the honor. The recognition comes at a time when both the Canadian
and Rye whisky categories continue to gain popularity amongst
whisky aficionados and consumers alike.
"Crown Royal Northern Harvest pops up out of nowhere and changes
the game," said Murray of the whisky, which he awarded a
record-tying 97.5 out of 100 points. "It certainly puts the rye
into Canadian Rye. To say this is a masterpiece is barely doing it
justice."
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
was first released in the U.S. in early 2015. The variant showcases
the distinctly Canadian rye whiskey featured in the traditional
Crown Royal Deluxe Blend that consumers have grown to love
throughout the last 75-plus years. The latest variant to be
introduced by Crown Royal, Northern Harvest Rye (90 proof, 45% ABV)
is the brand's first ever blended, 90% rye whisky and embodies a
smooth and spicy flavor profile that can be mixed into traditional
rye cocktails or enjoyed neat or on the rocks.
"Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye showcases the rye whisky that
has been such an integral component of the Crown Royal Deluxe blend
since 1939. This is a testament to the unbelievable blending and
distilling that's been taking place in Gimli for over 75 years," said Yvonne Briese, Vice President of Crown Royal.
"We are thrilled that Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye has been
named World Whisky of the Year!"
The recognition comes on the heels of the launch of Crown
Royal's new campaign titled "The One Made for a King." The
creative, which will run across TV, print, out of home, digital and
social, was developed to share the 75-year-old brand's royal origin
story and liquid credentials with consumers. To view the TV spots,
please visit www.YouTube.com/CrownRoyalBrand.
In addition to being named 2016 World Whisky of the Year, Crown
Royal Northern Harvest Rye received a double gold medal at this
year's San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is part of Crown
Royal's vast portfolio of variants for whisky lovers to enjoy,
including Crown Royal Regal Apple, the #1 innovation launch across
U.S. Spirits over the past 12 month period, according to Nielsen
and NABCA (Source: Nielsen xAOC 52 weeks through
10/10/15, NABCA 52wk ending 9/30/15), and Crown Royal Hand
Selected Barrel, a double gold recipient and winner of "Best
Canadian Whisky" in the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits
Competition.
Diageo is proud to add this incredible honor to its Hall of Fame
of award-winning whiskeys globally. This year alone, Diageo has
earned more than 300 awards across the World's Best ranks for its
Canadian, Scotch and American whiskeys. Today at Diageo we are
celebrating!
While raising a glass of Northern Harvest Rye in honor of this
award, Crown Royal reminds consumers and whisky aficionados to
please drink responsibly.
About Crown Royal
Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the
number one selling Canadian whisky brand in the US by value and has
a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended
to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen
Elizabeth of Great Britain
in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky's smooth, elegant style
reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of
Canadian whisky. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com.
Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy
responsibly.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in
beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across
spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include
Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit
and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff,
Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, Guinness, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards
wines.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more
than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both
the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange
(DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands,
and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global
responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information,
initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North
America: @Diageo_NA.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
Contacts:
Kelly Greenawalt
Taylor
kgreenawalt@taylorstrategy.com
704-644-6915
Jamie Hakim
Diageo
Jamie.Hakim@diageo.com
646-223-2016
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SOURCE Diageo