Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

I've been searching for bourbons that echo the style of those made at the Stitzel-Weller distillery in the 20th century. Word on the street isn't great about the 80-proof Rebel Bourbon. Because of that, I opted for Lux Row's 100-proof version instead. I poured about half an ounce into a shot glass and let it sit for roughly fifteen minutes. Immediately, I detected notes of fresh bread and caramel on the nose, followed by oak, ethanol, and a hint of vanilla. This was my first experience with whiskey over 100 proof. The higher alcohol content, which I'm not accustomed to, hit me as I sipped it neat. Right away, I noticed cinnamon, with some peanut notes appearing occasionally. The cinnamon faded quickly, making way for caramel and a significant amount of heat in a medium finish. While I prefer Larceny Small Batch, this is a strong second choice for a wheated bourbon for me. I also enjoy this much more than the standard Maker's Mark offering.

Overall: An intriguing release. The price is certainly appealing. I had a glass of Wilderness Trail wheated after this to reset my palate. It tastes young, but its offerings are vibrant and exciting. I'm curious to see LuxRow release an older version of Rebel to experience its development. For now, I'm happy to have this as an inexpensive sipper for casual relaxation. It's comparable to Larceny but more heavily spiced and less sweet. Nose: Ethanol. Citrus zest, maraschino cherry, and cinnamon. Palate: Initial sips have citrus notes upfront, reminiscent of lemon and orange, which quickly transition to honey buns with red hots. Chocolate becomes more prominent over time. Finish: Medium short, with honey and cinnamon fading into a clove-like taste. It's pleasant and not too brief, but not abrupt either.

Nose: The aroma of this bourbon was very faint for me, making it difficult to identify specific scents due to the absence of strong smells. As I drank more, I did detect a hint of corn and caramel. There was also a scent of fresh hay, likely from the wheat. I expected more from a 100 proof bourbon. The nose was slightly disappointing. Palate: It had a thick texture, which I liked. I notice the corn again with a touch of vanilla and oak. Towards the end, it becomes a bit spicy. Finish: The finish was short to medium and the corn reappears with the wheat. It gets somewhat spicy and oaky at the end. Although the nose and palate were a bit underwhelming, the finish made this bourbon enjoyable for me. For the price, I would happily keep this product in my collection all the time.

TASTE: I detected notes of dried grass, earthy qualities, and spices like clove, cinnamon, vanilla, and possibly cardamom. Initially, the taste was spicier and more intense, but allowing it to rest and breathe softened the complexities. I generally enjoy wheated bourbons and find Weller to be my favorite. Rebel 100 is spicier but highly enjoyable and drinkable. Given that Rebel 100 is much more accessible and affordable than Weller, I consider it a solid choice for personal enjoyment or as a confident pour for guests, requiring no apologies. Adding Rebel 100 to your bourbon collection and available selections is, in my opinion, highly worthwhile. Cheers!

I'm not certain what's happening, but I hadn't bought a bottle in some time and got a large one recently. The peanut butter flavor is overpowering. It's like Beam level peanut flavor. I don't think they've been operating long enough (but my memory for dates is poor), but maybe some of their own spirit is maturing and being blended in? Whatever the case, I don't detect the cherry, cinnamon, and strong oak I used to. It's a massive step down and no longer one of my favorite budget bottles.

Blind tasting - purchased a 50 mL sample at Total Wine in Grand Rapids with a friend. It has a light color and almost no aroma. The taste takes a moment to register, then it's full of corn and peppery spices, with floral and salty caramel notes. After learning what it was, the biscuit and peanut characteristics were present, along with hints of wheated cinnamon and an oaky cookie flavor. However, the flavors are subtle.