Tastes

Overall: Interesting offering. Certainly cant balk at the price. I drank a glass of Wilderness Trail wheated after this to center my review. It is a young tasting bourbon, but what it does offer is bright and exciting. I want to see LuxRow put out an older offering of Rebel to see what this mellows/tranforms in to. As of now Im happy to have this around as a cheap sipper when I just want to relax and not worry about what Im drinking. It is reminiscent of larceny but spice heavy, and not quite as desserty. Nose: Ethanol. Citrus zest, maraschino cherry, and cinnamon. Palate: First sips have hints of citrus at the front, lemon and orange come to mind. They quickly give way to a honey buns sprinkled with red hots. After some time chocolate presents itself more and more. Finish: Medium short: the honey and cinnamon give way to a clove like flavor. Pleasant, not overly long, but by no means abrupt.

Overall: I know - a five star review*. This isnt my first bourbon and it wont be my last, but for 22-25 dollars this is a must have. It drinks better than some 60+ bottles I have. Like many people, I remember WT101 the same as Jack Daniels - A college party drink... Man was I dumb... and I am glad I revisited it. This punches so far above its weight class; it brings forward a complex, almost ever changing glass, and it has the depth of flavor that you expect at this proof point. I tried to think of something to knock this on, but the only thing could be that the bottle disappeared too quick. This will always be in stock at my house. * All my ratings are value based. Pappy would probably get a 3, if it was amazing, because I had to do sexual favors to get it. * Nose: Dark fruit infused syrup, slightly floral. Very sweet Palate: Dates right out of the gate, a delicous cinnamon spice coats them as they work to the roof of my mouth. On some sips toasted coconut comes to the forefront, and others its creamy milk chocolate right away. Finish: Medium long, with the dates giving way to a creamy chocolate infused with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Overall: *Disclaimer* this bottle was 3/4 full for 1+ year so the oxidization may have mellowed/altered the flavors. However, it may have been for the better. For those looking for something fruitier at 95p, this is great. It is bright, dreamsickle in nature. Balances well through the sip as more traditional flavors come through. This is what makes me think the oxidization brought those bright fruity flavors forward... my tasting is not in line with others, and the thing that makes it potentially worth the money spent is the bright orange flavors. I dont think this justifies the $60 price tag though. Redemption will do the same thing for half the price, and 5 proof points less. Nose: Orange fruit cocktail, cream Palate: Bright! Orange... dreamsickle. Following sips bring wooden spice, and darker flavors forward, but never to the forefront. Finish: short, but pleasant.

KE 90-4V Overall: Its a complex drink... maybe too much for its own good. The first sip on each glass was chocolate, coconut, and almonds, which left me going back for more - I love almond joys and mounds. When I went back the palate presented very traditional, but somewhat muted flavors. Its tough, I love that first sip, but meh after that... maybe thats why the bottle became half empty so quickly. It was all by design. Nose: White chocolate, honey, caraway seeds, toasted coconut Palate: good mouthfeel. First sip is milk chocolate, and almonds. Then it is flashes of cocoa, wood spice, and rye influenced confectionary sugar from there on out. Finish: medium long. Toasted coconut melds with chocolate to make a delicous boozy almond joy, and bring me back for more.

Overall: I had high expectations for this one. A $70 price point, and some really glowing reviews had me thinking this was gonna be worth a splurge. Being a frugal man, I cant help but feel a little underwhelmed by the value. It is one dimensional as I work through the glass, and while that one dimension is good, I prefer something that morphs more. Nose: Cherry, and honey. The grains of the bourbon are there, but subtle. Flavor: Dark fruits. Dried dates in a delicous syrup infused with almonds. The mouthfeel is full and hangs around. Finish: Medium long. The syrup really carries through along with fair amount of spice.

Overall: A solid $30 spent. Is it a show stopper? No: It could certainly use some more time in the barrel... I'm glad it didnt though. This allows people to taste and experiment with a BP bourbon and not shell out a Benjamin. The experience it gave me was very much an old movie theatre vibe; with the buttered popcorn nose, and finish. The toffee and vanilla mixed in with a hit at the front like a frosty coke. It is Americana. Nostalgia bottled at a proof that will leave you feeling as empty as the movie theatres did. Nose: Movie theatre popcorn stand. The mixture of the butter and some on the bottom bordering on burned. Palate: light mouth feel. Hot flash of cinnamon up front followed by waves of vanilla confectionary, and toffee. Finish: medium. A buttery popcorn flavor pops in, and intermingles wirh flashes of the vanilla confectionary.

Overall: This bottle is an enigma for me. I love it when I pour a glass and bananas come through with brown sugar and spices to make a tropical bourbon that didnt forget where its from. I dont like it when the citrus side just sort of blurs everything and the only distinct note is the spice... it certainly drinks above its proof, and is not a regretable buy at $25. I hope the higher end of the Old Forester line follows this profile, and simply make it more robust. Nose: Rum-esq ethanol. Green Bananas, and cooking sugar. Palate: Spicy punch right off the bat, it flashes quick but on further sips it is cinnamon and nutmeg. This opens the way for carmalized brown sugar, and a citrus brightness. The mouthfeel is oily, and awesome when ripe banana comes through. Finish: Medium. A clove spice lingers, and depending on the sip banana runts come through the nose.

Overall: I am from Missouri, so I will try to put bias aside. I was fully expecting for the age, and price this to be very comparable to Heaven Hill BiB (which I really enjoy), but it isn't. Instead of going the dark rich dessert path it goes for fruits, and it does that well. I wish it had a better mouthfeel, but I am not disappointed in acquiring this bottle. At the price of $51 before tax, I look forward to comparing it to Old Forester BiB. My gut tells me it will be bananas vs. dates. Nose: Ripe fruit: Strawberries, and raspberries. With more time, a molasses smell melds everything together. Palate: Rye bread hit me off the bat. The spice, mixed with a hollow texture I get from campari. Its not a bad thing, but a distinct textural component of some drinks. This all quickly morphs into the sweetness of dates, and vanilla ice cream. Finish: medium to medium short. Grape jelly - authentic grape jelly, not like the grape pixie stick of buffalo trace.

Overall: I may be a bit of a heaven hill fan boy at this point, I have been really impressed by everything of theirs I have tried. This is a bargain at 30 bucks! Imagine if Larceny and Heaven Hill BiB had a baby: The wheaty sweet smoothness from Larceny, and all the chocolate compelxity from the age of HH BiB. For a few bucks more than Larceny, and about half the price of HH BiB? Deal. Nose: Nutty white chocolate. Hints of banana. Sweet, but not off-putting. Palate: Spice right up front that quickly flows into dark chocolate. As the glass dwindled down, banana bread became very present. Finish: Medium. Longer than anticipated with a warm molasses flavor

Overall: This was an older bottle of Rebel Yell, and I would gladly drink this as an aperitif in lieu of dessert. The baklava flavors and champagne tingle leave me feeling warm & content... if you love wheated bourbons, you should check this out. Nose: Honey, grain, and a touch of ethanol. Definitely smells like a wheater. Palate: Orchard fruit comes forward, and morphs into a delicious baklava flavor. It is proofy in a good way, there is a tingling sensation reminiscent of champagne. As the glass dwindles down citrus notes pop through, and morph together with the consistent honey and filo dough. An oily mouthfeel helps this hang around. Finish: medium, but strong. The numbing sensation on the lips and popping on my tongue keeps the baklava hanging around.