Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey (86 Proof)

OLD OVERHOLT ("NEW" 86 PROOF/NON CHILL FILTERED) While dining out recently and wanting an Old Fashioned, I inquired if they could make it with Rye instead of the Woodford Bourbon listed. Their House Rye turned out to be Old Overholt, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was less sweet than anticipated, possessing a drier, dustier character. I decided to buy a bottle, only to discover they had recently increased the proof by 6 points and omitted Chill Filtering. Let's see how it fares. *NOSE: Hints of automotive grease/oil, rye spice, pencil shavings, barrel char, a touch of vanilla cola, and a slight ethanol sting. *NEAT: That automotive character from the nose comes through, along with pencil shavings, rye spice, black pepper, toasted rye, and slightly bitter oak. Not very sweet, but a little bit of butterscotch is present. The finish is smooth with no heat, leaving a coating of that grease/oil, dry oak, and black pepper on the palate. *SPLASH: Not much changes. Perhaps it becomes a bit sweeter? *VERDICT: A significant improvement over the old 80 Proof version. I really enjoyed it. It tastes precisely as the bottle might suggest, if that makes sense. Simple, Dry, Dusty. Not much sweetness. While the mashbill is a mystery, I suspect it's considerably higher than the minimum 51% required. It made an excellent Old Fashioned and mixed well with 7-Up or Ginger Ale, though it was a bit lost in a Manhattan. I was surprised by how quickly the bottle was emptied. I've developed an appreciation for it and believe it stands out enough from Rittenhouse, Sazerac, etc., to earn a spot in your collection, especially considering its sub-$20 price point.

I was wary of this rye, being Canadian and accustomed to exceptional ryes, though others may disagree. Nevertheless, I bought this bottle after noticing its recent proof increase from 80 to 86. While reviews at 80 proof were not favorable, the 86 proof version has garnered more positive feedback. I'll be reviewing the 86 proof offering I acquired. The aroma presents caramel and toasted brown sugar upfront, followed by hints of vanilla, green apple, and very subtle rye and black pepper notes. A very inviting scent. On the palate, brown sugar and caramel are present, with the rye spice lingering at the back of the throat. The finish is brief, and the spice doesn't intensify, resulting in a remarkably smooth drink that's easy to consume in large quantities. Very smooth. I can and will enjoy this neat, and I also see it working well in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Nose 3/5; Palate 3.5/5 Overall 3.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker/Mixer

Color is a light honey yellow. It doesn't have many legs, mostly just specks. I must say, this is a fantastic bargain rye and an excellent mixer for bourbon cocktails. Overall, it's a very "prickly" rye that will remain in my collection. The initial aroma is dominated by sourdough bread and yeast, almost reminiscent of a wheated whiskey at first. As you explore it further, more pronounced notes of aged wood and seeded pumpernickel rye bread emerge. There are also traces of cinnamon spice, rock salt, and white pepper, alongside some sulfuric broccoli water. The palate begins with dark rye bread, as expected. It starts with peppery spices, transitioning to cinnamon spices in the middle. Numerous herbal notes are present, along with a black licorice/star anise flavor, which always reminds me of fennel. Dry sawdust concludes the experience, providing a nice finish to the swallow. The finish consists of pumpernickel rye bread. There's a touch of black pepper and even red pepper heat. Dark chocolate notes are present in the finish, along with lacquered wood, herbs, and fennel.

Overall, a mild nose for a rye, featuring a good measure of herbaceous spice, apple blossom, faint sweet vanilla buttercream, cinnamon, some orange marmalade, and a slightly tart tannic sensation akin to cherry cough syrup on a wooden spoon. After airing, notes of tobacco, suede leather, and Heath bar emerge. On the palate, it's similarly gently spicy, sweet, and tart. Dark rye bread with butter, brown sugar, dill pickle, coriander, white pepper, and a bit of milk chocolate with bitter orange peel. The body begins thin but gains considerable thickness upon chewing, becoming quite fluffy. There's also a slight oiliness. A swirl forms a thick sheet that breaks into plump but sparse legs before fading. The short to medium finish is dry and woody, with hints of dried fruit—apricot, apple, and cherry. It's also slightly bitter, herbal, and mineral. More like a high rye bourbon than a typical rye whiskey, but enjoyable regardless. Nose: 8 Taste: 8 Body: 8 Finish: 7.5

I previously reviewed the 80 proof Old Overholt rye, so when I noticed the increased proof, I decided to try it. For under $20, I'd say this is a very sound value. The nose has the usual bready notes along with vanilla. I wasn't overly impressed with the nose initially, but the palate is solid with cloves, nutmeg, butter, and dark cherry. It's a bit thin, but not nearly as much as the 80 proof version. The finish is rather short with little burn, some sweetness, and pepper. I must say this is a significant improvement over the 80 proof. It might not be very complex, but it's a great value and could be a candidate for an everyday, no-fuss dram. Is it superior to Rittenhouse or Bulleit? No, but for the price, it's hard to find fault. It even performs decently in citrus-forward cocktails. Excluding the price, it's a 3, but factoring in the value, I'm rating it a 3.25.

The aroma is intense and fiery, reminiscent of an angry cartoon bull with smoke billowing from its nostrils. It's not truly intimidating, being a cartoon, but you can sense its aggressive intent. This analogy might not make perfect sense, but it's the best I can describe it. On the palate, it starts subtly, making you question if you've even taken a sip, almost like water until you swallow. Then, it's as if a spice control is cranked from one to eleven and held there for about a minute. It's a peculiar, one-trick pony that performs surprisingly well for what it is – a bottled expression with an aged gentleman on the label. I'll likely purchase it again.