A. Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey

Two new offerings from Beam Suntory in the Overholt range within a single year? Fantastic. I purchased the 10 Year Cask Strength initially but haven't opened it because I reserve $100 whiskies for special moments, like watching football with my father. I acquired this Monongahela Mash last Friday, having intended to buy it for some time. I had to act fast on the 10 Year CS because I missed the 11 Year from a few years prior. I kept meaning to get to it, but I never got around to picking it up, and then it was gone. Vanished from the shelves. I've consistently appreciated Overholt as an economical rye. There are numerous excellent budget ryes available, some I'd even consider superior to Overholt Bonded, but Overholt Bonded holds its own, whether enjoyed neat or in mixed drinks, offering an enjoyable experience without a high cost. Early assessments I've encountered for the A. Overholt Monongahela Mash suggest it tastes good, though a publication questioned the value proposition concerning its price and age. They assert that a 4-year-old rye should not be priced at $40. However, when one considers the numerous non-age-statement scotches now exceeding $100, spending $40 on a familiar product doesn't seem excessive. Now, whether it surpasses other ryes in its price category is debatable. Overall, the final product is dependable. Due to the mash bill comprising 80% rye and 20% malted barley, there's a pleasant balance of sweetness and spice throughout. The aroma, if my senses are correct, evokes another excellent budget rye, the standard Sazerac, presenting a good combination of cherry cola scents with vanilla and rye spice. The palate introduces the spice prominently with a touch of heat, pepper, and clove, while retaining the fruity essence of cherry in the background. It lacks profound complexity, but the flavors meld well on the palate. The finish is of moderate duration, neither overly long nor excessively brief. It's a 'just right' kind of finish. In summary, that publication might be correct about the price point. While it's not prohibitively expensive, it's sufficiently similar to Sazerac in my view that for $10 less, I would likely opt for another bottle of Sazerac before repurchasing this. However, I wouldn't discourage you from trying it if your curiosity is piqued and you're seeking something new. I don't have an open bottle of Sazerac readily available for a direct comparison, which might be insightful given its resemblance. Furthermore, I'm unsure how many others share this sentiment, but I adore the bottle's appearance; it presents beautifully on display. The brown tint imparts an old-fashioned, medicinal aesthetic reminiscent of the bygone era when physicians prescribed whiskey as a remedy. Certainly, other Overholt bottles share this tint, but this one possesses an angular design and features an image of the mustachioed, balding Overholt on the neck label, suggesting stature and a distinguished elder, much like your grandfather. Do you not trust him? At this juncture, I do. I have a fondness for Overholt. I will likely continue exploring their new releases as they become available. Given I am merely the third reviewer here, I'm hesitant to lower its average 4-star rating by assigning it a 3.5 (as this often implies a subpar spirit, which it decidedly is not), but honestly, considering all factors including price, it truly merits a solid 3.5 in my assessment. Therefore, if you appreciate rye, give it a try. If you prefer your ryes with a blend of sweetness, try it. Even if you're a bourbon enthusiast, you might still enjoy this, although the palate's spiciness might deter those who prefer sweeter beverages. That's acceptable. You can't satisfy everyone all the time. I eagerly anticipate sampling the 10 Year CS myself. Oh, the excitement!

A fascinating new offering from the Jim Beam/Overholt lineup, this one aligns much more closely with a genuine American rye, at least concerning the grain composition. It was only during my research that I found out the traditional Old Overholt contains a significant portion of corn, which detracts from the rye's inherent character and shouldn't be present in a proper American rye. This new edition, however, meets the criteria for a novel and enjoyable experience, featuring a suitable proof and sufficient maturation for the rye to develop without becoming subdued or overly "aromatic." This might also be the highest barley content I've encountered in a bourbon or American rye, making me curious about its impact. The initial appearance is pale and thin, resembling golden straw or hay, similar to many European whiskies. Speaking of European spirits, the aroma strongly reflects the gentle, malty, somewhat vegetal, and even briny notes of the malted barley, more than anticipated. Yet, classic spearmint and cinnamon candy scents, typical of rye, are also present, complementing the barley well, but surprisingly fall short of the green apple and honey malt undertones. The taste profile picks up where the nose left off, with mild honey and slightly tart apple from the malted barley, contributing to a light, yet not weak or watery, body. The rye grain, however, asserts itself with spicy cinnamon and herbal notes, while the combination draws a good amount of vanilla and light caramel from the oak. The finish starts with a warmth that quickly dissipates without lingering on the palate or gums. The ethanol is not an issue here, nor was it on the nose, taking a secondary role and feeling more akin to an 80 proof spirit. This is a rather pleasing new direction from Jim Beam, especially considering their limited range of malt whiskies or other smoother expressions. A. Overholt, on the other hand, seems to blend soft malt with spicy rye, with the charred barrel aging adding just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the base grains. This is not necessarily an upgrade from the original Old Overholt, but rather a parallel offering, as the original excels in delivering an iconic, robust rye spice (even with the corn content). Neither is what I would classify as a "true" American rye, but for the cost (assuming you didn't overpay like I suspect I may have), both are certainly worth acquiring.

OVERHOLT REVIEW VESSEL: Typical Glencairn AROMA: Excellent. First, Malt notes of Cocoa, Tea, and Cherry appear. Then, Rye notes emerge with Biscuit Dough, Mint, Ginger, and Cinnamon. I also detect a pleasant background sweetness of Confectioners Sugar. With patience, it evolves; just as the herbal rye seems dominant, a gentle swirl reintroduces Cocoa and Cherry. Commendable! TASTE (Neat): Matches the aroma. Initial sips present Sweet Tea and Cocoa. The mouthfeel is somewhat oily, with Cherry, Vanilla, Ginger, and Drying Oak developing. I also sense a faint "Old Garage" character (reminiscent of an old gas station with motor oil and tires), similar to other Old Overholt bottlings. The finish has a significant Peppery Spice, leaving a Tingly residue of Tea Leaves, Ginger, and Dry Dusty Oak. It intensifies to Cinnamon, akin to the aftertaste of an Atomic Fireball. A pleasant warmth spreads through the chest. It might feel stronger than its stated Proof, but in a positive way. If there's a drawback, it's a subtle tannic sensation on the finish as the pour progresses, but it's minor. TASTE (With Water): A few drops of water introduce Brown Sugar notes to both the aroma and palate. CONCLUSION: I'm thoroughly impressed. This expression rivals the 10-year Cask Strength in my estimation. I appreciate the quality Beam is achieving with this range, and the new mashbill is a welcome development. It's expertly crafted and likely to become a staple. Its price point, comparable to Sazerac and Bulleit and slightly above Rittenhouse, feels appropriate. I also favor the vintage-style bottle and traditional cork. A strong 4 out of 5 Stars.

The aroma starts with graham cracker, nutmeg, root vegetables, fresh spruce, apple (unusual for a rye, but present), and... cookie dough? Is this truly a rye? Wow. The taste is unconventional. Chocolate, mint, golden raisins, black cherry, iced gingerbread cookie, the apple from the nose, and tea leaf. I'm surprised and pleased by its sweetness and fruitiness. My only criticism is that the flavors are a bit muted. The finish lasts a medium length, with ginger ale, white pepper, lemon cake, subtle cinnamon, musty barn, and soft oak. The texture is light-bodied yet smooth and silky, easy on the palate. It's completely unique, and it's uncommon to find something this distinctive at this price. As a rye? Debatable. As a whiskey? Delicious. It surprised me so much it nearly blew me away. For $47, I'd definitely buy it again. Proof that greatness doesn't require a limited release or a huge price tag. It's a no-brainer rebuy.

It pours a lovely amber hue and leaves numerous slow-moving streaks in a standard Glencairn glass. The aroma offers dark fruit and baking spices with a whisper of graham crackers. On the tongue, the rye's peppery quality emerges but doesn't overshadow the fruit and sweetness detected in the aroma. This is a very agreeable rye for sipping.

Launched in Spring 2024. Distinctive blend of rye and malted barley, with no corn. Notes of warm baking spices. It's smooth and pleasant neat or with a little ice. Found for $40.00 in Northern Virginia in December 2024.