Flash Blog: Lux Row Distillers' Tawny Port finished Bourbon

Another month, another Flash Mob! Again it's a new release from Lux Row Distillers.

Let's see what this one is like:

Last month we flashed Lux Row's new Ezra Brooks 99 and Rebel 100 - this time we're all talking about their new Rebel Bourbon Tawny Port - available for around £39.

The Rebel brands are owned by Lux Row Distillers which in turn is owned by the huge contact distiller MGP (Midwest Grain Products) who make a huge amount of American whiskey for various bottlers.

 

The Rebel Yell brand was originally created in the late 1940’s by Stitzel-Weller Distilling Co. to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Weller company. It inspiring Billy Idol to write his song ‘Rebel Yell’ after he saw the Rolling Stones drinking it backstage at a concert. In 1992, then owners United Distillers moved their production to Bernheim from Stitzel-Weller, Rebel Yell began production alongside the other wheated bourbons in the United Distillery portfolio, soon afterwards the distillery was sold to Heaven Hill and the various brands produced there to the highest bidders. Rebel Yell’s brand and assets were then sold to the David Sherman Corporation in St. Louis which became LuxCo and is now MGP. The Yell part of the name was dropped. In 2018 Luxco opened its own distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky so I think this whiskey is sourced.

Rebel Tawny Port Finish is the third annual Special Finish Release, previous years have included a French Oak and Cognac Cask Finish. It's the 4yo  Kentucky Straight Bourbon with a 6 month finish in Tawny Port casks.

Distillery tasting notes:  

"The Tawny Port flavours pair really well with Rebel Bourbon's vanilla, oak and caramel profile. It's a winning combination that creates a distinct, depth of rich flavours that's unlike anything else in the Rebel family, whilst still retaining the Kentucky Straight Bourbon's remarkably smooth finish."

6,000 bottles - 45% ABV - £39

Aroma: sweetness, nuttiness and earthy notes  

Palate: toffee, mocha, dried citrus, dark red fruits and spices  

 

My thoughts:

Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls cling at a thick line and fall as slow thick legs. 

Nose: an interesting mix of fruity, sherry and toffee vanilla bourbon notes. There's strawberry Toffos, buttered popcorn, roast hazelnuts and a hint of mixed fruit jam.

Palate: a smooth buttery arrival, peppery spice giving an instant kick before the fruit notes come through. There's some black cherry and liquorice notes alongside hints of blackberries and strawberries. A little drying as the liquid disappears.

Finish: black cherries and a peppery spice.

Overall: This is a Lux Row's standard wheated bourbon with a six month finish in Tawny Port, but I didn't get much of the bready notes I get with the Rebel 100 wheated for example, maybe the Port's fruit notes have covered it up. I don't think I've ever tried a Port finished bourbon before, a few sherry ones and this falls into the same camp - interestingly different - worth a try!

Don't just take my word for it - check out @Coldorak's review here!

Many thanks to Lux Row Distillers, @ChapmanPoolePR and @TheWhiskyWire for the samples!