Gimli's Crown Royal produces World Whisky of the Year

Crown Royal, the whisky-maker fromthe small Manitoba community of Gimli, has won a world title and been labeled a "masterpiece."

ItsNorthern Harvest Rye has been namedthe 2016 World Whisky of the Year, marking the first time a Canadian whisky has received the honour.

Renowned British whisky writer Jim Murray announced the designation on Friday, giving Northern Harvest Ryea record-tying 97.5 out of 100 points in his 13th annualWhisky Bible.

"To say this is a masterpiece is barely doing it justice," Murraysaid in a news release, adding that it takes rye to"new heights of beauty and complexity."

The choice has stunned some people, according to an article in Britain'sDaily Telegraph newspaper,but Murray's not surprised. Similar ripples were made when the2015title went to aJapanese single malt.

• Scots left reeling as Canadian whisky named world's best

"Last year people were shocked when I gaveYamazakithe award until they tasted it. Then they saw it was not the affront to scotch they first thought and something truly extraordinary," Murray said.

This is the second consecutiveyear thatScotland has missed out in a top five placing in the Whisky Bible, said Murray,whotasted more than 1,000 new whiskies before choosing theNorthern Harvest Rye, which sells for $32.99 for 750 ml in Manitoba.

"This year, doubtless there will be many more eyebrows raised because rarely is Canada mentioned when it come to the world's top whiskies," he said. "But, again, I have no doubt people finding the bottling I tasted will be blown away with this whisky's uncompromising and unique beauty."

The distillery in Gimli, acommunity of just over 1,900on the western shoreof Lake Winnipeg, began producingCrown Royal whiskyin1939 the year of the royal visit byKing George VIand Queen Elizabethand it was only available in Canada until 1964.

Northern Harvest Rye came out this year.

"We couldn't be more proud," said Alistair KiddofDiageo Canada, which bought the Crown Royal line from Seagramin 2000.

"Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye showcases the rye whisky that is integral to making Canadian whisky unique, and is a testament to the incredible distilling and blending that takes place in Gimli."

Jim Murray's 2016 World Whiskies of the Year

• Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
• Pikesville Straight Rye
• Midleton Dair Ghaelach
• William Larue Weller Bourbon
• Suntory Yamazaki Mizunara

"To be honest, I had been considering actually demoting Canadian whisky from having its own chapter in the Bible.The quality of Canadian has been disappointing me for some time with too many non-whisky products,like fruit juice or wine, being added to give a softer flavour," said Murray.

"Then Crown Royal Northern Harvest pops up out of nowhere and changes the game. I think other distillers out there have to have a close look at this and see if they can at least have a go at reaching where this new bar has been set."

Manitoba Liquor Mart employees at many of the storesreported being sold outof the award-winning drinkas of Friday night.