Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey (86 Proof)

OLD OVERHOLT ("NEW" 86 PROOF/NON CHILL FILTERED) **Dining out a few weeks ago and wanted an Old Fashioned. Their cocktail menu listed Woodford Bourbon as the whiskey used and I asked if they could make it with Rye. Their House Rye was Old Overholt and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Much less sweet than I was expecting with a drier, dustier character. Decided I'd pick up a bottle and that was when I realized they had revamped and added 6 Proof Points and skipped the Chill Filtering. Let's see how it is. *NOSE: Automotive Grease/Oil, Rye Spice, Pencil Shavings, Barrel Char, Light Vanilla Coke, and a little Ethanol Sting. *NEAT: That Automotive Character from the nose, Pencil Shavings, Rye Spice, Black Pepper, Rye Toast, Slightly Bitter Oak. Not a lot of sweetness, but a Little Bit of Butterscotch. Absolutely no heat on the finish with that Grease/Oil, Dry Oak, and Black Pepper Coating and Layering on the palate. *SPLASH: Doesn't change much. Maybe gets a touch sweeter? *VERDICT: A HUGE improvement over the old 80 Proof. I really liked it. It tastes just like the bottle makes you think it will taste, if that makes sense. Plain, Dry, Dusty. Not a lot of sweetness. The mashbill seems to be a mystery, but I think it's substantially over the required minimum 51%. This made a great Old Fashioned, mixed well with 7-Up or Ginger Ale, but got lost a little in a Manhattan. I was surprised how quickly I went through the bottle. I've gained an appreciation for it and think that it's different enough from Rittenhouse, Sazerac, etc. to warrant a place in your collection, and for less than $20, why wouldn't you want it to?

I was hesitant to try this rye as I am Canadian and am spoiled with some of the best ryes in the world although Americans seem to have there own views on the matter. Regardless, I purchased this bottle based on the increase in proof that it recently received from 80 to 86 proof. The reviews at 80 proof were not great, but at 86 proof this bottle has received a lot more positive comments. Although I did not try this at 80 proof, I will comment on the 86 proof offering that I purchased. On the nose, caramel and burnt brown sugar are forward followed by a slight vanilla, green apple, and very mild notes of rye and black pepper. A very welcoming nose. On the palate, the brown sugar and caramel are present, with the rye spice clinging to the back of the throat. The finish does not linger long, nor does the spice build creating a very smooth sip making this a very dangerous crushable pour. Very smooth. I could, and will drink this neat, but I can also envision this being used to make a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Nose 3/5; Palate 3.5/5 Overall 3.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker/Mixer

Light honey yellow color. Not very leggy; more specks. I do have to say this is a terrific bargain rye, and an outstanding mixer for bourbon cocktails. All told, it is a very "prickly" rye that will live in my cabinet from now on. The initial nose is a very heavy sourdough bread and yeast component. It almost reminds me of a wheated whiskey at first. As you dip your beak deeper into it, however, you get much more finished wood and seeded pumpernickel rye bread. There are traces of cinnamon spice, rock salt and white pepper as well, plus some sulfuric broccoli water. The front of the palate is dark rye bread, not surprisingly. It's pepper spices at first, then cinnamon spices mid-palate. Lots of herbal notes, and a black licorice/star anise bite, which always reminds me of fennel. A dry sawdust at the tail end that puts a nice button on the swallow. The finish is pumpernickel rye bread. There is a bit of black pepper and even red pepper heat. A finish of dark chocolate. Lacquered wood. Herbs and fennel.

An overall mild nose for a rye with a good dose of herbaceous spice, apple blossom, faint sweet vanilla buttercream, cinnamon, some orange marmalade, and a slightly sour tannic note like cherry cough syrup on a wooden spoon. Let it breathe and a little tobacco, suede leather, and Heath bar comes through. On the tongue it’s likewise gently spicy, sweet, and sour. Dark rye bread with butter, brown sugar, dill pickle, coriander, white pepper, and a bit of milk chocolate with bitter orange peel. The body starts out thin but thickens considerably upon chewing, becoming quite fluffy. There’s a bit of oiliness as well. A swirl forms a thick sheet that breaks into legs that are fat but few before dissipating. The short to medium finish is dry and woody, with a little dried fruit- apricot, apple, and cherry. Also, slightly bitter, herbal, and mineral. More akin to a high rye bourbon than a more typical rye whiskey, but tasty any way you slice it. Nose: 8 Taste: 8 Body: 8 Finish: 7.5

I reviewed the 80 proof Old Overholt rye a while back so when I saw that they increased the proof I figured I would give it a try. For less than $20, I would say this is a very solid value. The nose features the typical bread like notes along with vanilla. I wasnt very impressed with the nose to start but the palate is solid with cloves, nutmeg, butter and dark cherry. It is a touch thin, but nowhere near as bad as the 80 proof version. The finish is pretty short with little burn, some sweetness and pepper. I will say this is a considerable improvement on the 80 proof. It may not be that complex, but it's a very good value and may be an everyday no fuss dram candidate. Is it better than Rittenhouse or Bulleit, no, but for the cost it's hard to complain. It even is decent in citrus forward cocktails. Removing the price, it's a 3 but with the value component I'm bumping it to a 3.25.

Nose is hot and red... makes me think of an angry cartoon bull with smoke coming out of its nose...it’s not really scary cause it’s a cartoon and all, but you can tell he wants to be scary...that doesn’t make any sense, but that’s all I got. When I put it in my face it starts slow and just when you are like “wait, did I drink it???” (literally seems like water until I swallow), it’s like someone takes a spice volume control knob and spins it from one to eleven and leaves it there for about a minute. It’s an interesting one legged pony that hops around way better than it should... it’s that in a bottle with an old dude on it. Will probably buy again.