Review: Rebel Yell Single Barrel Bourbon 10 Years Old 2016
Review: Rebel Yell Single Barrel Bourbon 10 Years Old 2016
Once a largely ignored bottom-shelf bottling, Rebel Yell continues its march up-market with this latest release, a 10 year old single barrel bottling crafted from its wheated bourbon recipe. 2000 cases will be made available this year. In 2017, production will expand to 4000 cases.
The nose offers oak first, then layers of anise and tobacco leaf. The iconic vanilla caramel character is here, but it is burnt and crispy, with mild eucalyptus notes — though all in all, fairly steady hallmarks of well-aged bourbon. The palate is where things start to get more interesting. The anise character is distinct and heavy, before notes of peppermint, cloves, and cinnamon red hots come along. The finish is burly with wood, but not overpowering — more barrel char than sawdust — though there’s a bit of lingering gumminess that mars things a bit.
All told, this is a bourbon for fans who like things on the distinctly — even heavily — savory side, and even though it’s not exactly an everyday sipper, it marks a nice change of pace from some of the sugar bombs that tend to be more popular.
Reviewed: Barrel #4744359, distilled September 2005.
100 proof.
A- / $50 / rebelyellbourbon.com [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Rebel Yell Single Barrel Bourbon 10 Years Old 2016
$50
