Rebel Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon

Bottled at 63% alcohol by volume, selected by a whiskey club, and barreled on 8/14/18. The aroma was intense. The alcohol felt hot, reminiscent of cinnamon red hots, and even the vanilla had a hot quality. The taste, as expected for its alcohol content and lack of aging, was also intensely hot. Candy hot tamales, cinnamon red hots, and a strong dry wood spice were prominent throughout. The finish lacked any real development; it simply felt like your tongue and the roof of your mouth detached at some point recently. Adding water, you ask? Because who would drink 132 proof whiskey voluntarily, even if marketed as smooth? Well, since you inquired, it's quite deceptive. You can detect a pleasant caramel beneath the heat, and the intense heat becomes less bothersome with deeper inhales. However, the sip itself was intense. It began warm and inviting, coating the mouth with caramel, cinnamon, and Demerara sugar, perhaps even some peanut brittle and that peculiar grape essence sometimes found in certain bourbons. It seemed pleasant, but after swallowing and breathing in, my mouth was ablaze. Not just warm or spicy, but a painful burn, like being pepper-sprayed after a sprint. It was painfully hot. Taking a second sip, expecting the alcohol to have dulled the throat's sensitivity, proved futile; the gag reflex remained, and all the oxygen seemed to vanish from the room. I genuinely want to appreciate this. It shows promise, and its color, viscosity, and legs suggest quality production and a well-chosen barrel. I had hoped for a reasonably priced alternative to certain sought-after bourbons that collectors have inflated. Or perhaps an alternative to another bourbon that inexplicably costs four times its actual worth. The initial hope is a stretch, I admit. However, a comparison to the $107-proof bourbon should be fair. I recall when that bourbon was much cheaper and located on the bottom shelf, near less expensive options. Yet, here we are a decade later, and this single barrel, hand-selected, high-proof whiskey isn't as good as a mass-produced standard offering that cost a third of the price. This is unfortunate all around.

(OHLQ Barrel Pick) A pleasant wheated bourbon with considerable potential. I detect pronounced creamy sweet vanilla notes, both on the nose and palate. It brings to mind the flavor profile of Weller Special Reserve but with greater intensity. It doesn't quite resemble Antique 107, as the fruity notes prominent in that bottling are less apparent here. While not exceptionally complex, it certainly offers more than WSR. Noticeably sweet with a rather long and satisfying finish. It carries a slight heat, but if you're accustomed to high-proof spirits, you'll likely feel comfortable. Overall, this is a fantastic sipper with many delightful characteristics. Given the affordability of the 100-proof version, I'm eager to try it.

I think my local store picked a real winner (a "Yelp" if anyone else has that barrel too). It's no surprise it reminds me a lot of Larceny Barrel Proof since it's also distilled by Heaven Hill and uses the same mashbill. Opens up with a drop of water or a little ice, tons of flavors to dissect once you conquer the heat. If I had to choose a store barrel pick, I'd say this really stands above something in the same price range, like Knob Creek. UPDATE: I did a blind between this and Larceny B522. I could pick up subtle differences and managed to correctly identify them. I still prefer the Larceny, but for $50, the Rebel is a great alternative if you can't find any Larceny batches.

The aroma reminds me of a Clorox lemon wipe or Pine-Sol, with a mild caramel scent. I also get a plastic-like scent, as if I took a deep whiff from a Tupperware container. I really like the mouthfeel though. It's got a nice, thick, viscous texture. It doesn't have a lot of sweetness on the palate for me, perhaps a little honey, but I'm mostly getting a baking spice flavor, like nutmeg or ginger. I truly want to enjoy this more than I do because it's a very mellow, pleasing sip, but I'm not detecting the significant sweetness I anticipated. Still, a really good sip overall.

Barrel 7533571 Filled 11/2/2016 Amber hue. Much like Rebel 100, vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon are the primary aromas and flavors. The texture is considerably richer, more potent, and a touch greasier than Rebel 100. The palate presents abundant cinnamon gum notes, alongside caramelized sugar, browned butter, and traces of leather and mellow oak. The conclusion is moderately extended and pleasantly warming, once more featuring cinnamon gum (worn for some time), a subtle hint of fresh bread, and some dry oak.

126 Proof Aroma: Citrus and brown sugar are dominant on the nose. Very subtle oak and vanilla in the background. As it airs out, I detect dark fruits. A very sweet profile here, and it's pleasant. Taste: Follows the aroma. But it's more refined. Overall: This is actually very nice. Full-bodied, with a long finish. An exceptional offering for less than $50. And it's extremely mellow for the proof. The more I sip this, the more I appreciate it. You'll have a hard time finding a better bottle for under $50.