Hannah’s Old Overholt Rye Review
Original review written October 30, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Entertaining back-and-forth balance, easy to sip, and with a character I’d say is distinct and enjoyable. I’ll look to keep Old Overholt around the bunker. 88/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Clermont, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Beam Suntory Distillery
– Classification: Straight Rye Whiskey
– Age: 3 yrs.
– Mash Bill: unpublished
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 43% (86 proof)
– Price: $18.95 USD in Idaho (2021)
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this rye here!
SETTING:
I think Old Overholt would make for a good companion on a winding dirt road. Idly sip as you walk and take in the scenery with the fresh air almost burning your lungs with its purity. The earthy savory will match your walk, and the sweet will easily keep each step lively.
Photo by Trevor Wilson on Unsplash
NOSE:
Dusty grain, particularly corn, and vanilla bloom from the glass first followed by light brown sugar and leather. There’s some caramel wood tones along with some berry nectar. There also seems to be a nutty, salted toffee element that is both sweet and simultaneously outdoorsy. It seems for everything savory on this nose, there is something quick to pair with it that falls under a sweeter variety. So far, the balance just on the nose is decent. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily complex, and it certainly isn’t strong. However, it’s easy and palatable. The alcohol is nonexistent, but at only 86 proof, I’d be shocked if it was noticeable at all.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Pleasant. Nothing remarkable, but it is nice all the same.
– Balance: I find the play of sweet and savory from the nose, carried over to the palate, and I do find myself liking the back and forth trading.
– Visual: Honey in color, the ring of a crown stays thick around the glass, but gives way to equally thick, slow-dropping legs.
– Taste: It’s easy to hold on the palate, with some bittersweet chocolate mixing with the dusty grains from the nose. I also find maple sweetness at the back of the palate mingling with oaky richness. There are buttery walnuts back with the toffee, but the toffee isn’t quite as strong here as it was on the palate. Even on the spice, the savory/sweetness pairs continue with the trend. I can certainly identify the rye, but it’s not as bright and fresh as it is in other ryes. It provides texture and it goes with some white pepper which acts similarly to the rye. There aren’t too many fruits here, aside from the essence of perhaps a fruit leather of a stone fruit.
The alcohol is still entirely nonexistent, but for whatever reason, I’m not too bothered by this. A Kentucky chew lasts forever, with the alcohol tickling and leaving behind a subtle flavor of cherry and oak. Not a bad combination at all.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Short-medium. I wouldn’t say the warmth sticks around much at all, but I do get some aftertaste.
– Between Sips: I find the oak to be the most prominent between sips, backed up by a hint of vanilla. While I’m not usually a big fan of a dominant oak, I find this to be an enjoyable pause all the same.
– No More: This stays consistent as I go through the glass, and I’m enjoying it thoroughly. It’s just solid.
The empty Glencairn is a warm oak with just a little bit of spice. I would have loved to try that spice out more on the palate, but I’m still not disappointed at all in what Old Overholt had to offer.
WORTH THE PRICE?
At $20, I’m quite impressed with this offering. It’s decent, with a fun balance, and just seems solid all around. I’ll consider keeping it around quite strongly, given its price.
OLD OVERHOLT RYE REVIEW RATING: 88/100
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