Flash Blog: Lux Row Distillers' Rebel 10yo Single Barrel Bourbon

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

Let's see what this one is like:

I've reviewed a few of Lux Row's Rebel bottlings - this time we're all talking about their new Rebel 10yo Single Barrel Bourbon - available for around £95.

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 10yo Single Barrel is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Distillery tasting notes:  

"Aged in charred oak barrels for 10 years, this bourbon boasts a unique flavour profile specific to each batch. It’s one-of-a-kind, just like the rebels who drink it."

This sample was from barrel 5651894, bottled at 50% ABV.

Mash bill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% barley.

Tasting Notes: Hints of caramel and citrus on your first sips. But continue drinking and it morphs into a velvety oak flavour with unabashed spice.  

 

My thoughts:

Appearance: Dark gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line take a little time to bead up and fall as slow thick legs. 

Nose: Toffee and maple syrup to start with a little orange zest and vanilla. There are some cinnamon and clove spice notes too. 

Palate: Thick smooth arrival, vanilla toffee and peanut butter with a little orange zest to start. There's some milk chocolate here too. The spices from the nose come through next but they aren't overpowering: 10+ years in the cask have mellowed this dram, the 50% ABV isn't really noticeable either.

Finish: Lingering orange zest, cinnamon spice and a little toffee.

Overall: 10yo is very old for a bourbon, there aren't many that mature into double digit years, I think this is sourced by Lux Row from Heaven Hill. Terry's toffee orange would be a good description of this dram - a nice easy drinker!

Many thanks to Lux Row Distillers, @ChapmanPoolePR for the sample!