Whiskey: Rebel 100 Bourbon
Distiller: Undisclosed
Producer: Lux Row Distillers
Instagram: Barrel & Proof https://www.instagram.com/barrel_and_proof?igsh=czJ2MzhybG42MG9j&utm_source=qrĀ
ABV: 50.0%
Age: No age statement (minimum 4 years)
Price: $17 (Twin Cities, Minnesota)
Tasting: Neat in Libbey Bourbon Trail glass, reviewed blind, rested for 10 minutes. Bottle opened for 1 month.
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Nose: Baked Bread, Rye Spice, Caramel, Chocolate, & Dry Oak
Palate: Baked Bread, Caramel, Chocolate, Rye Spice, & Dry Oak
Finish: Medium Length, Baked Bread, White Pepper, Caramel, Chocolate, Anise, & Leather
Body: Full
Bite: Medium
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Summary: This bottle is produced by Lux Row, but was sourced from other distilleries. I do not have much experience with Lux Row products, but this is one of their base bourbons that they offer. I picked this bottle up on sale but I have never seen it for more than $25. As noted, this review was done blindly.
On the nose the most prominent scent is a delicious rye bread note. There is a syrupy caramel note and bitterness from a chocolate scent. The oak scent is on the dryer side, but it blends really well with the rest of the notes. I wish the nose on this was more robust, but it does open up considerably after a few minutes.
The palate is simple but the notes that are present are rich and heavy. I love the spice and warmth of the rye bread notes. The caramel and chocolate blend well, like in a candy bar. Again the moderate dry oak note adds some nice complexity.
The finish is a little different, I pick up a nice white pepper note that adds some punch. The rye spice becomes a bit more funky, I pick up some anise which doesnāt work the best with the leather flavor that sticks around. I do like the boldness of the flavors in the finish.
This whiskey was quite unique for a budget bourbon. I really enjoy the rye bread notes and how they interact with the caramel and chocolate. Overall the profile stays relatively the same throughout the tasting, more so than most whiskey. The nose and palate are my favorite aspects, the anise and leather on the finish donāt blend well together in my opinion. After my blind review I have tasted this a few additional times, I personally think it is a solid budget bourbon.
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Rating:Ā
Nose (10%) - 6/10
Palate (50%) - 7/10
Finish (40%) - 6/10
6.5/10 Pretty good. Better than average.
Recommend: Yes
Rank: I created a compilation ranking list of whiskies Iāve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting.Ā All whiskey ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes.Ā Whiskey I ranked below and above Rebel 100 are shown for reference.
140 out of 275 whiskies tasted.
139 Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch
141 Ezra Brooks Distillerās Collection Store Pick: Keyport Liquor
Ranking Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharingĀ