Named the world’s best whisky, a Manitoba-made rye is flying off store shelves in its home province.
Crown Royal’s North Harvest Rye was named World Whisky of the Year 2016 in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, released mid-November.
Since then, stores have struggled to keep up with demand.
“Crown has been a good-selling Canadian whisky for a long time. With the award in the Whisky Bible, Northern Harvest has become the best seller,” said Chris Miller, a product consultant for Manitoba Liquor Marts.
Thursday morning, Miller's store at Portage Avenue and Burnell Street received its shipment of 12 cases with 12 bottles each. In less than six hours, shoppers had completely cleared out the supply.
“It’s uncommon. It doesn’t happen very often,” said Miller, who can only recall two or three other products selling out so quickly. Northern Harvest has never been one of them until the Whisky Bible distinction.
“We can definitely tell people are looking for this,” said Miller, who recommends interested buyers check product availability online.
Distilled in Gimli, Northern Harvest is described as “a deliciously balanced whisky, extraordinarily smooth with hints of fruit, cloves and spice.”
A 750 ml bottle retails in Manitoba for $32.99.
