A. Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey

An interesting new product from the Jim Beam/Overholt portfolio, this time much closer to a true American rye whiskey, at least as far as mash bill goes. Only when researching this is when I discovered that the classic Old Overholt actually has a sizeable amount of corn, something that distracts from the natural flavor of the rye grain and should be absent from a proper American rye whiskey. However, with this new release, the boxes are well checked for a new and enjoyable experience, including a decent proof and enough age for rye to develop but not become tamed or too "perfumed." This may be the highest amount of barley I've ever seen in a bourbon or American rye whiskey as well, so I'm curious how that will play here. The color begins light and watery, like a golden straw or hay, almost looking like a good amount of European whiskies. Speaking of European whisky, the nose really incorporates the soft, malty, almost vegetal and even briny notes of the malted barley, more than I would have thought. However, there are also classic notes of cinnamon candy and spearmint that you would expect to find from a rye whiskey, which play nicely with the barley, but is surprisingly underwhelming to the green apple and honey malt overtones. The flavor palette begins where the nose left off, with soft honey and slightly sour apple from the malted barley, creating an overall light body, but not weak or watery. The rye grain, however, doesn't sit idly by, and starts throwing punches of cinnamon and herbaceous notes, while the whole mix extracts a good amount of vanilla and light caramel from the oak. The finish begins hot, but nothing sticks in the gums or the tongue, so it falls off relatively quickly. The ethanol doesn't really become an issue here nor did it on the nose, and instead takes a backseat while feeling more like an 80 proof amount. This is quite a nice new touch from Jim Beam, considering they don't have a whole lot of malt whiskey or other products with an overall softer profile. A. Overholt, however, seems to combine the soft malt with spicy rye, while the charred barrel aging provides a perfect amount of added sweetness without compromising the base grains. This is by no means an improvement on original Old Overholt, but instead a lateral move, since the OG shines in providing an iconic full-bodied rye spiciness (even with the corn added). Neither are what I consider a "proper" American rye whiskey to be, but for the price point (so long as you don't pay over MSRP like I think I accidentally did), both are worth picking up for sure.

First released in the Spring of 2024. Unique mash bill of rye and malted barley. No corn. Warm baking spices, smooth easy to drink straight or with a tiny amount of ice. $40.00 in N. Virginia Dec 2024

Pours a beautiful amber and produces multiple slow running legs in a standard Glencairn. On yhe nose there is dark fruit and baking spice with a hint of graham crackers. On the palate the rye pepper comes through, but doesn’t overpower the fruit and sweetness from the nose. This is a very nice sipping rye.

Nose gets us started with graham cracker, nutmeg, root vegetable, crisp spruce, apple (weird for a rye but it’s there), and…cookie dough? Is this really a rye? Whoa. Palate is out there. Chocolate, mint, golden raisin, black cherry, iced gingerbread cookie, the apple from the nose, and tea leaf. I’m shocked and delighted by how sweet and fruity this is. If I have a critique, it’s that the flavors are slightly subdued. Finish is medium length with ginger ale, white pepper, lemon cake, light cinnamon, musty barn, and soft oak. Mouthfeel is light bodied but soft and silky and easy on the tongue. Completely unconventional and It’s rare to get something this unique at the price point. As a rye? Questionable. As a whiskey? Delicious. Surprised me to the point of nearly blowing me away. At $47, it’s a no-brainer rebuy. Proof that something doesn’t have to limited edition or a bazillion dollars to be great.