Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey (80 proof)

This is an 86 proof rye that's four years old. Most of the sources I found indicated that the mash bill is unknown, but one article from 2023 said that it's not Jim Beam's usually rye mash (Jim Beam owns the label), but rather is 80% rye and 20% sprouted barley. The preponderance of the evidence is against that one writer, but I do find Old Overholt to be more characteristically rye than Knob Creek rye, which also comes from Jim Beam. It's dark copper in the glass. NOSE: Right off the back I got honey and apples. Then came a flowery note that I only got once or twice, and then vanished. Once the flowery note was gone there was a strong apple juice note, a slight note of mixed spices, and finally spicy butter. MOUTHFEEL: Smooth but thin. TASTE: I kind of wish I hadn't picked tonight to do my review, since my palate just didn't get as much from the glass as I've gotten in the past. Palates are changeable, and what is great one time might seem less so on another occasion. I would've foregone the review until another time, but I'd been planning to do one for two or three weeks and wanted to finally accomplish the task. All I got tonight was spice and oak, but previously I've gotten a definite sweetness as well - but I can't recall the specifics of it. This whisky is better than it seems from what I got from this pour. FINISH: Spiced oak and a vegetal note, with a medium length. SUMMARY: This juice is better than it seems from this review. It's not a great rye, but it is good, and I'll buy it again. And I confidently expect that the next time this bottle comes up in the rotation, it'll give me what I've learned to expect from it - not the most complex whisky there is, but certainly one worth the price, and more. RATING: On my hick scale it's the fifth level (there are eight, counting from the bottom), which is Good. That translates into 3.125 stars, 62.5/100, or 6.25/10.

I noticed that at my local liquor store that old overholt is now sold at 86 proof (they also have a bottled in bond) instead of the old 80 proof so I figured I might as well review the last of what I had left in my old 80 proof bottle. I really never thought of this rye whiskey as a sipping whiskey. It could have been the price or the lack of glowing reviews but it has always done well in cocktails. After trying it neat, it's not so much that it's bad on it's own, just nothing exciting. The nose is actually pretty intriguing considering this is a 3yr old rye. There is no ethanol harshness, just rye, oak, vanilla and lemon peel. Unfortunately for how solid the nose is, the palate disappoints. It's very watery and thin. The spice and rye make an appearance but it's nowhere near strong enough to compensate for the thin and watery feel. The finish is also quick and gone in a flash with a light burn and a hint of the spice. So I wouldnt say this is bad, the nose is really quite decent, it just doesnt stick the landing. I'm actually surprised it's as good as it is in cocktails since it's so watery but in either case for the absurdly low price it's not a bad everyday sipper if you aren't looking for anything special. Although for an extra 5 or so bucks you can upgrade to the bottled in bond which is superior. I'm interested to see how much better the 86 proof is to the 80 proof. I would have to assume it loses the watery feel and I can see that one being a great value sipper.

This is budget rye but delivers more than it costs. Poured neat, nose brings some mild banana and juicy fruit gum, rye spiced dough and fresh oak. Its not powerful at 80pf but still decent. Palate is sweet bananas foster, mild rye and oak. Its not deep or robust but pleasant. Doesn't have the dill note of the MGP 95% ryes which is a plus for many. Finish is drying oaky spice with soft vanilla. It tastes young with some rye sizzle and light flavor. Still , I think this is a great value at $15-20ish. I prefer bolder more flavorful rye but if you're looking to try out rye or want a mixer this is an easy choice......76/100.............good enough to drink neat but not a heavy hitter.

*This is a review of the 86 proof Old Overholt that is replacing the standard 80 proof version.* Licorice! I prefer spicy rye whiskeys like Rittenhouse. They hold up well in cocktails. This weekend, I was attending a party with some friends. They asked if I could bring ingredients to make Manhattans. So I bought Old Overholt as a budget rye to share. I was pretty disappointed with the end result. I should’ve spent a few more dollars and bought Bulleit rye instead.

Straightforward, no nonsense rye squeezin’s that you must try/buy when given the opportunity. I solid rye baseline at rock bottom prices. OO Rye is sassy. Oak and grain are showcased in a way that is humble and hardworking. The nose is sweet and unassuming. I’ve never seen a bottle being sold for more than $16 but it beats out bottles priced at 2-3x that.

I haven't tried many other Rye whiskeys, but I found Old Overholt to be fairly easy drinking. Not a lot of sweetness to note. Smooth without much alcohol burn. A strong, but not over powering rye note is there from start to finish. Slightly woody after taste that diminishes quickly. For the price it's hard to beat, especially in an old fashioned.