Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey (86 Proof)

Had it in a house Manhattan at the Belmont. Delicious!!!

Light color, gold. Aroma is wood, rye bread, spice. Taste is an intense but light spice at first, maybe cinnamon? Then sweeter. Not bad, different from other ryes I've had.

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.

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.

Green apple nose,, Spicy black licorice, clove, corn sweet finish