OLD OVERHOLT 11yr CASK STRENGTH - SHould you?

As you may know, I love Old Overholt in all forms. I knew I would be doing a Ryeview of the Overholt 11 year old release when it hit in October 2024, but I wanted to check my bias. So, I asked some pals their thoughts on it, which we shared on Instagram. I compiled all of our takes on it here, so my pals and I are here to tell ya whether you should purchase Old Overholt 11yr cask strength rye whiskey, or not. I’d like to thank Bourbon in Indiana, Pics and Pours, Bryan, and Matt for sharing their thoughts here.

We started with the nose and nose alone. The day after we addressed the palate, and the following following day we wrapped up with finish and overall thoughts.

@picsandpours - “Rickhouse, woody, oak, and char. Vanilla. Slight beamnut.”

@bourbon_in_indiana - “Flowers, oak, chocolate, maple, cherry, and funk.”

@bryan_and_melissa_cormier - “Better than last year, they took my feedback.”

@whiskey_spectre - “I don’t think Bryan is gonna react to this one the way he did the 10yr.”

Me- “Smells really nice. Lots of molasses or maybe maple, tobacco, leather, smells very old.”

We all agreed that it smelled VERY good.

Suntory Global Spirits did a terrific job with this label.

BUT HOW DOES IT TASTE?
Easy now, pop a zyn, take a few deep breaths. My pals and I are here to discuss the palate.

@picsandpours - “Spicy pepper at first, sits on the back of the palate finishing with warm cinnamon oat cookies. Little roasted wheat after.” (Editors note- hopefully no raisins in them cookies)

@bourbon_in_indiana - “Cinnamon dipped cherries, chocolate chip cookie, slight nuttiness. Hits the tip of your tongue then coats the sides of your mouth. Juicy and makes you salivate.”

@whiskey_spectre - “That’s tasty. This is a little bit more well rounded compared to last years. A real crowd pleaser. It wants to turn towards licorice, but doesn’t.”

@bryan_and_melissa_cormier - “this is fckin good (TM).”

Me- “Approachably rich. Like Matt said, it teases anise, but doesn’t turn towards a full licorice detonation. It edges up to it, and then slowly backs away. Char and oak, without being too tannic. Again, it hints that it’s going that way and then ably pivots to dark chocolate notes. This really coats the palate without being overly oily.”

This is not a bourbon drinkers rye, but the “never rye” folks I’ve poured it for, have LOVED it.

So should I buy it or what?!!

The pals give their finish and overall thoughts below. I’ll have a write up highlighting a discussion Matt and I had about it shortly. Let’s get into it.

@picsandpours - “medium but the spice takes a minute to leave. (Wish it was longer).”

Overall take: it’s one I enjoy. I like it by itself and I like it in a cocktail. I enjoy the beam nut in my drinks so I usually gravitate towards their ryes.”

@bourbon_in_indiana - “medium finish that lingers. Turns into more of a cinnamon shortbread cookie. Baking spices. Cherry juice.”

Overall: really solid whiskey that develops as it moves along the palate. Balanced and punchy without being overpowering. People that like old Carter batch 6 rye and Kentucky Owl Batch 2 rye will really enjoy this. It’s fun that it’s completely different than last year’s old Overholt release.
Score 8.9 out of 10

@bryan_and_melissa_cormier “this Overholt is better than the OGD16.”

@whiskey_spectre - “Teasing finish. Doesn’t turn to over oak or over anise.”

Overall- “More well rounded, crowd pleaser.”

Me- “I found the finish to be medium, but there is a long flavor that follows it. Dry cocoa on the finish with more sweetness than I expected.”

Overall- “this is one of the better ryes to come out since Kentucky Owl. They had a lot of Beam Rye in them after all.”

I still cannot believe this is less than $100. A steal.

I’d like to thank Courtney, Indy, Matt, and Bryan for doing a mashup over three days. Particularly grateful to Courtney and Indy for taking the time to give me their notes as they were about to fly.

Suntory Global Spirits is doing some very fun things with their Jim Beam plaything and this is one of them. I’ve purchased a few of these 11’s, several of the 10’s, and I very much look forward to landing the 12yr. that is coming later in 2025. If my purchasing multiples of this isn’t understood to be an extremely high recommendation, then let me just say it out loud. BUY THIS.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet, and let me know what you think in the comments.

- Mickey