Old Overholt: The Best No-Bullshit Brand

They say cool people are so because they don't have to try to be cool, and the same can be said for brands. If ever there was a brand that didn't try, it's Old Overholt.

Maybe it's because its roots are in Broad Ford, Pennsylvania, about 1/2 hour from Pittsburgh (full disclosure: my hometown) where guys that pretend to be cool get their asses kicked by guys who drink boilermakers. Or, maybe because people who drink "the Overcoat" couldn't care less about what others think of them for drinking it.

But really, the brand is most highly regarded in a small, loyal circle of professional drinkers who happen to be experts in the subject of price:value math. It simply is damn good booze for the money!

If you like to sip straight rye and delight in the complex aromas and flavors, you'll want to dig a little deeper into your wallet. But if you want a perfect Manhattan or Old Fashioned, and you plan on having more than one, this is your rye. Straightforward, dry, and at 80 proof just the right amount of heat and presence for the perfect cocktail.

Bulleit, Sazerac and Rittenhouse fans can make compelling arguments for their calls--they're all great Ryes. But they're all much pricier than Overholt (which you can pick up for about $15) and for cocktail use, really not essential.

Let's face it, built in to the higher price of those brands is the cost to cover the marketing of a manufactured "cool" that Overholt doesn't need to pay for.