©Lil’ Lee Photography

Owner → Luxco ◊ St. Louis, Missouri

Distillery → Lux Row Distillery ◊ Bardstown, Kentucky

80 Proof ⇔ Aged 4 Years

$16.99/ 750 mL

—From Caskers.com—

The original recipe for Rebel Yell dates back to 1849, when it was invented at what would later become the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Although many famous bourbons were produced at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery (including Pappy Van Winkle), most shared one unique characteristic pioneered by William Laurel Weller himself — instead of rye, the bourbons used wheat as a secondary grain in their mashbill, lending a softer, smoother flavor to the whiskey.

In 1936, nearly a century after the original recipe was developed, former Louisville Mayor Charles F. Farnsley officially registered the “Rebel Yell” brand, distilling the bourbon limited batches for exclusive distribution in the southern United States. This practice lasted all the way into the 1980s, when the Stitzel-Weller Distillery was disbanded and Rebel Yell found its way into the hands of LUXCO Spirited Brands. Now, more than 150 years later, Rebel Yell is bridging the gap between its proud heritage and modern tastes, and isavailable nationwide for the first time in its history.

Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is handcrafted according to the original, time-honored Rebel Yell recipe developed in 1849. As a result, the whiskey has a bold aroma of honey, butter and raisins, which leads to similar flavors on the palate, along with notes of ripe plums. The finish is semi-sweet, with a slight spiciness and hint of candy corn.

 

*Research Notes*

  • Used to be distilled by Heaven Hill distilleries, but Luxco opened their own Lux Row Distillery in Bardstown in April of 2018.  (Brand new!)
  •  Originally distilled in 1849 by Weller & Sons, who pioneered using more wheat and malt in their mash for a lighter flavor.  Later in 1910, after a corporate merger, it was distilled at the famed Stitzel-Weller Distillery, now owned by Bulleit.  Officially registered in 1936.
  • Luxco purchased the label and recipe in the early 1980’s.
  • Luxco also owns and distills our #7 seed Ezra Brooks.

*Tasting Notes*

via The Whiskey Wash

  • Nose:  Displays heavy ethanol and warm brown butter, which moves onto a more cloying honey scent after opening up.
  • Palate:  The expected touch of spiciness is immediately apparent on the palate, followed by overwhelming raisin overtones, burnt caramel and slight ash.
  • Finish:  Reminiscent of white dog, peppery, and again syrupy as it was on the nose.
  • Overall:  An entirely expected Kentucky bourbon that lends itself better to throwing back than truly enjoying.

©Lil’ Lee Photography