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Rebel Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon (Friends of Oliver)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
November 18, 2021 (edited April 25, 2024)
Rebel Cask Strength: Barrel #7533024 (11/2/16) "Friends of Oliver"
A group representing 2 local Restaurants (Oliver's on the Cape Fear and Moore St Oyster Bar) recently selected a barrel of Rebel and a barrel of Ezra Brooks. Barreled in November of '16 this clocks in somewhere between 4-5 years old.
*NOSE: Brown Sugar, Maple, Cocoa, and Oak. After a bit the Vegetal Note that I get from Heaven Hill's wheated mashbill starts to dominate. It reminds me of Sweet Potato, which luckily pairs well with the Brown Sugar and Maple notes. There is a bit of heat, but not as much as expected for the proof.
*NEAT: Mouthfeel is Thick and Coating. Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Butter and Brown Sugar. There are also notes of Tea and Cherry Syrup on the Finish. Fairly Hot with a Big KY Hug growing in the chest. Slightly Dry Oak and Cherry coat and linger on the entire palate. Definitely one of the clingiest whiskies I've had in a while.
*SPLASH: Nose and Palate both get a bit of Orange Peel and Mulling Spice. There is a hint of Melted Salted Butter and some Herbal Black Licorice. The Cherry becomes less sweet and more Medicinal in quality.
*VERDICT: I really like this. The mouthfeel was incredible. Two hours later and I was still tasting it on my cheeks and gums. I don't know what Luxco does to HH's Larceny, but whatever it is improves it a great deal. I find Larceny drinks hotter than its proof, is overly tannic, and the vegetal note too dominant. Of course, this being a Single Barrel, your mileage may vary, but this is so much better than the bottle of Larceny Barrel Proof that I have. In fact, to verify I poured a dram to compare and the Larceny was an astringent, overly tannic, bitter mess. I like that Luxco is offering these picks and I will definitely take a flier on another if I see one.
55.0
USD
per
Bottle
Oliver's on the Cape Fear
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@Zachary-Robbins ...and if you're at the Southport location anyway, I'd also recommend the "Ivan's Fish Shack" Maker's Private Selection. You can get a pour of that at Old American Fish Company if you wanted to try it first.
@Zachary-Robbins if you swing in around lunch/dinner, you could probably get a pour at Moore Street, Oliver's, or Loco Jo's before you plunk down for the entire bottle. I tried the Ezra Brooks last night and it wasn't nearly as good as the Rebel.
@BDanner Might have to swing by next week
@Zachary-Robbins Brunswick is unique. The don’t have a county wide ABC. Each township or area can set up their own ABC Board. I think there are 9 different boards? So a pick may only show up in one store.
@Zachary-Robbins just in Southport, I believe.
Are these both at Brunswick ABCs? I recently picked up a Rebel 10Y and would be curious trying these side-by-side.