Say Goodbye To One Of The Best Rye Whiskey’s You’ve Stupidly Ignored : Old Overholt 114

How fickle, the fleeting hearts of drinkers, Who turned away, neglecting your rich legacy, The smooth warmth that flowed like cherished memories, Ignorance, it seems, was their only companion.

A few years ago, I wrote a detailed piece about my Six Essential Ryes that I have always found to be noteworthy. Yep, it was one of those listicles, so feel free to judge me. These days, I have moved away from that format, but I still find myself in agreement with that original list. Unfortunately, times have changed, and that list has sadly become obsolete. Old Overholt 114, a beloved part of the Overholt expansion, is now kaput. It’s officially canceled, removed from the portfolio, effectively 86’d, and unfortunately flushed.

Before we proceed further into this deeply concerning and troubling news, let’s take a moment to refresh the key points from that article published a long time ago.

Old Overholt 114 Rye. The Kentucky Colonel of the Rye Brigade.

“Of all the selections featured on the list, this particular choice might be the one that provokes the most passionate and vigorous discussion among enthusiasts. The voices crying out for beloved brands such as Knob Creek, Pikesville, Michter’s, Russell’s, Old Forester, and many others will certainly be loud and fervent. How is it that I could ultimately land on this specific selection to represent the rich and diverse Kentucky style Rye when there are so many truly terrific options available?

For me, it’s quite simple, really. Old Overholt 114 Rye consistently punches above its weight class. When you put it up against any of the other Kentucky Rye whiskeys, I can confidently say that Overholt beats the majority of them, while the few it doesn’t outperform are either priced significantly higher or are notably much older in age. This whiskey embodies the spirit of boxing great, Sugar Ray Leonard. Pound for pound, it’s truly the best there is in its category.

There are a plethora of versatile and affordable cocktail Rye whiskies available in the market today, and Overholt has introduced two very good options already in their impressive lineup. Among these selections, I personally believe that the 114 expression is the crown jewel of the collection. Just try crafting a classic old fashioned with Overholt 114 Rye, and you'll discover that you are indeed living the sophisticated life. This is precisely what Don Draper would have chosen to drink if he had been a real living person today. You certainly do not have to be a skilled mixologist to effortlessly elevate your cocktail game; all you need is Old Overholt 114 Rye to create exceptional drinks at home.

Good in cocktails you say? Isn’t that influencer double-speak designed to subtly clue the reader in to the fact that it’s perhaps not good on its own, thus allowing the poster to sidestep any potential offense to the distillery? In many cases, yes, and I make no apologies whatsoever for recommending this particular Rye as a perfect well whiskey for cocktails. However, I must assert that this Rye is truly brilliant when enjoyed neat, with just a few drops of water, or even with a very large cube of ice. I find this to be definitively the perfect expression of Kentucky Rye, and I genuinely cannot believe it is not more universally championed by those in the online whiskey community.”

Now we stand adrift in a sea of choices, Perplexed, pondering the fading light, Wishing for a second chance, a moment of clarity,
To embrace the sublime, before it vanished from sight.

Now for the rather sad part of our programming. Suntory Global Spirits has officially and quietly retired the beloved Old Overholt 114 Rye, much to the disappointment of six or seven very enlightened fans. This is the moment where we all gather together and shed a few tears in solidarity.

Whatever you may see on store shelves at this point is indeed the very last of this cherished spirit, and it is unlikely that it will ever make a return to the market. I’ve come across some remarkably low prices as retailers strive to clear their inventories and make room for, who knows, what new products may be on the horizon.

Why this versatile and excellent rye whiskey was not wholly embraced by the whiskey community continues to baffle me and leaves me pondering endlessly. The proof was great, providing a robust burst of flavors. It was old enough to have developed complexity and character.

The flavors presented were not only rich, but they were also deep and multifaceted. To top it all off, the price was incredibly fan-friendly, making it accessible for a wide range of enthusiasts.

It just doesn’t make sense to me that this exceptional whiskey didn’t become universally embraced and celebrated.

And now, it’s too late. Unless you’re fortunate enough to run into some still on shelves.

These two tigers got me through a Christmas or two.

What will replace my beloved Old Overholt 114 rye whisky for me? Unfortunately, nothing truly comes close to filling that void. It fit into my collection just right, perfectly complementing my palate and preferences.

Sure, Old Overholt Bottled in Bond is an excellent alternative, but it’s simply not the same thing. Sometimes, a particular spirit hits just right in all the right ways, striking a unique chord that simply cannot be replaced.

Consequently, there will now be a noticeable hole in the rye solar system. It’s almost akin to losing Pluto as a planet, a bittersweet absence that leaves a mark. Yet, at least the celestial body formerly known as Pluto remains out there, waiting for a chance to be revisited.

Overholt 114 is not Pluto. It’s Alderaan. I suppose that means that Suntory Global Spirits is the Empire in this scenario, or the Death Star. Oopsie.

So raise a glass, let it be known, In this world of whiskey, you were an unheralded king, Old Overholt 114, we lament your departure,
For those who ignored you—how foolish they remain.

I am repeatedly reminded that no matter how much I genuinely like or deeply love a particular thing, it ultimately comes down to the realities of business. If it sells well and makes a lasting impression, it sticks around; if it doesn’t, it unfortunately ends up confined to the dust bins of history.

Old Overholt, the brand, will undoubtedly continue on, and it is indeed a mighty institution (Overholt 11yr Cask Strength just won an impressive gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition), but I believe there will always be something fundamentally missing for those of us who didn’t, rather foolishly, ignore this wonderfully exceptional release.

So long dear friend, so long.

- Mickey Pinstripe