I am revisiting this side-by-side with Hochstadter's Vatted Rye - another 100 proof rye within the same price range. By comparison, the Hochstadter's is absolutely spicier: it has much more of a spicy Pennsylvania rye character than the Old Overholt - but the Overholt excels in approachability. Creamier and more bourbon-like (to be expected with a 51% rye, high corn mash from Jim Beam designed to be a transitional rye). To be clear, the Hochstadter's is still not as spicy as Dad's Hat. It has a mild sweet cream creaminess. By comparison, the Overholt has just a bit more of everything. A sip is mildly sweet with soft notes of brown sugar, oak, campfire, marshmallow, creme brulee and black tea. It's hard to do better for less than $30, let alone $20ish