Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

This is a tale of two bourbons. After hearing positive reviews on this one (some even calling it the special release of the year) I decided to pick up a bottle if I was lucky enough to see it. This is a review for Barrel #4744174. Neat in a glencairn glass the harsh nose gave no indication that this was a wheated bourbon. I got straw, butter, and oak. Lots of barrel and alcohol. Very "Wild Turkeyish". On the palate this one is HOT. Lots of oak astringency. Did I mention HOT. The finish is HOT with a lingering musty oak that is very reminiscent of another Heaven Hill Single Barrel 10 year old, Henry McKenna. Much like it's younger blended cousin Larceny, it drinks hotter than its proof. I've had several Barrel Proof pours that weren't this hot. Other than the lingering oak on the finish, I didn't care for this one at all. BUT ADD A SPLASH OF WATER and it's hard to believe that this came out of the same bottle. The alcohol on the nose is replaced by vanilla and pink Bubble Yum bubble gum. The straw and oak are there, but now more in balance. Now it's starting to behave like a wheater. On the palate the vanilla and bubble gum make another appearance along with mint and sweet oak. Very complex. A much smoother finish with mint, vanilla and that nice musty oak lingering. I have never had a whiskey benefit so much from a splash of water. I will definitely enjoy the rest of this bottle and if they will keep the price in the $40's, I'll look for next years release as well.

This one is a BUY when you find it. Nose is delicious fruit cake, almonds, and corn. Taste is more of the same with sparkled orange marmalade. Finish is long with spicy wood and a hint of mint. Very smooth like a wheater should be. Would stand against the BT contenders.