Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey

Old Overholt has had less of a reboot than a thorough massaging. The label’s a little different, the proof, a little higher. It got off at the non-chill filtration station. Abraham Overholt, the legendary creator of the brand, is said to have lived by three standards: work hard, stand fast and don’t waver. That makes me wonder, why change the whiskey now when it already had so much love.

Vital Stats: Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey is 86 proof, made from an undisclosed mash bill and aged for three years. Find a bottle nationwide for about $18.

Appearance: This liquid is a very clear, pale amber that coats the glass and slowly forms thin tears.

Nose: The nose is light: white flowers, peach skin and grass, fresh with spearmint and underlaid with cigar box and toffee.

Palate: On the palate, this whiskey is sharp with allspice and white pepper. Apricot hits the mid-palate with cereal sweetness rounding it out. Allspice returns on the finish with a slight herbal bitterness.