Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon 100 Proof

Stronger aroma and taste for a wheater and I like it. Finish is harsher though so that’s it’s downside. But, for the price it’s solid.

BACKGROUND: Long considered among the bottom rung of the bottom shelf bourbons, Rebel Yell was originally created by the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in the early-1950s and marketed only in the southern United States. A series of sales transferred production of the brand to Diageo and eventually to Luxco, which owns the trademark and distributes it nationally today. The wheated bourbon is actually produced by Heaven Hill Distillery and sourced by Luxco. Though the basic 80 proof Rebel Yell still resides with the bottom shelf bourbons, the 100 proof version has become something of a cult favorite among aficionados and is highly sought. As an interesting side note, Rebel Yell was once the favorite drink of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Rocker Billy Idol came up with the idea for his song “Rebel Yell,” which reached number six on the U.S. record charts in 1985, after watching Richards and fellow band member Ron Wood chugging from a bottle of the bargain bourbon backstage. NOSE: The Rebel Yell 100 smells like the inside of a corn crib with tobacco leaves nestled among the ears. There is some cinnamon present within the abundant corn and tobacco, as well. It is a strong nose for a wheated bourbon and packs quite a punch. PALATE: The palate provides wave after wave of cherry, plum, and plenty of pepper. The Rebel Yell 100 drinks hotter than its proof, but certainly not in an unpleasant way. FINISH: The long finish just keeps going and going. The fruit and pepper on the palate morph into chocolate and leather on the finish. The finish offers altogether pleasing flavors and sensation. FINAL ASSESSMENT: The Rebel Yell 100 punches far above its price class, and it is one of the best sub-$20 bottles that you will find anywhere. Let’s hope positive word-of-mouth doesn’t prompt Luxco to follow the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond lead and jack up the price while lowering the quality. If you saved your Confederate money from the War Between the States, use all of it to stock up on Rebel Yell 100. Like the 100 proof, the Rebel Yell 10-Year Single Barrel has received positive reviews, but I have not yet been able to locate a bottle. After enjoying the Rebel Yell 100 so much, I will be redoubling my search efforts for a bottle of the 10-year.

Nose... Bananas, nuts, leather, and brown sugar.... Appearance...Dark amber to light copper... Taste... Buttery, smooth, creamy and salty. Followed by a slight hint of ethanol, then pears and oats... Overall... For the proof it's undeniably smooth and easy drinking. I always drink neat and this was very much like dessert in a glass. It's gentle wheat helps make this whisky a nice opener to those getting introduced into the wheaters....

Received this as a gift and was unsure as to how it would be. Incredibly surprised by the look, taste and overall quality. Gorgeous deep caramel, great taste and smooth.

Corn, wheat, toffee, butterscotch, walnut

Dances With Wolves “one gi” got me again...this is quite a tasty oak, leather, cinnamon, and peanut brittle bomb. Much better than the 80 proof.