The TRUE tycoon of American whiskey?

I happen to be driving by the liquor store today.  Well, I was going to the liquor store, and that’s why I happen to be driving by, but let’s not split hairs.

Regardless, I went to the liquor store today.  Usual suspects were on the shelf, nothing of note had come in today and the Fort Knox display case is becoming a joke.  But as I walked up the aisle, I did spy a new bottle.  Classy label, unique bottle, my interest is piqued.

It was a bottle of A. Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey, Monongahela Mash variety. It also has distinctive features such as a raised keystone emblem on the glass and the phrase “Founded by A. Overholt, The Keystone of U.S.A. Rye”, signifying its connection to an important Commonwealth in the United States.

And then, in very little letters at the bottom, off to the left side is “P.A. Born” and on the right, “K.Y. Made”.  I decided we need to understand three things.  Who is A. Overholt and what is Monongahela Rye?

Let’s start with this A. Overholt character.  Abraham Overholt was the son of Henrich and Anna Oberholzer (named changed to Americanize it).  This 5’8” barrel chested Abraham became the manager of the family distillery very close to the Monongahela River.  He grew this business rapidly, and in 1843 his Overholt’s Old Rye was the best in the country.

Monongahela Rye is distinguished by its nearly pure rye mashbill, water from western Pennsylvania, and its use of sweet mash and three chamber stills for distillation. Additionally, it’s matured in heated barrel houses. While these characteristics are unique and contribute to the spirit’s identity, they are not universally applied, making Monongahela Rye more indicative of its regional terroir than a strictly defined style.

By 1900 the company was owned by this grandson, Henry Frick, and Andrew Mellon.  They grew it into the largest and most respected whiskey in the country.  When Prohibition hit, it just so happened Mr. Mellon was the secretary of the treasury for Warren G. Harding.  In a pure stroke of luck, they were able to secure one of only six ‘medicinal’ whiskey licenses in the country.

By 1932, the company was acquired by National Distillers Products and became the official whiskey supplier for the US Navy. Soon after, the American whiskey market had dwindled to only three rye whiskey brands: Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, and Old Overholt. In 1987, Jim Beam purchased the company and relocated operations to Kentucky. The whiskey in the mentioned bottle is a homage to one of the key figures in the rise of American whiskey—a true cornerstone of the industry.