Rebel Yell Reserve

[leebo]

Saw a new bottle on the top shelf. Rebel Yell Reserve. Wheated bourbon Sorry can't remenber an age or proof statement. My past expierence with rebel yell was not a good one. Anyone tried this new stuff?

[gothbat]

Haven't seen it and hadn't heard of it until now. I did find this though, it's 90.6 proof with no age statement and available in limited quantities according to the link. I'll look forward to seeing this one on shelves if it hits this area as I'm always up for a new wheater, maybe I'll go look for one later although I doubt I'll find it. Here's a better picture of the bottle.

[polyamnesia]

so it IS rebel (YELL) reserve? or just rebel...?

[jinenjo]

A "robust 90.6 proof"??? It must be that extra 1.2 percent of alcohol that does the trick.

[ratcheer]

A "robust 90.6 proof"??? It must be that extra 1.2 percent of alcohol that does the trick.

Well, the current standard Rebel Yell bottling is 80 proof. So this new one is 12.75% stronger. However, back in the day, the real Stitzel-Weller Rebel Yell was 90 proof.

Tim

[Rughi]

As part of UD's sell off in the '90s, Heaven Hill acquired the Fitzgerald family of the old SW brands and Buffalo Trace bought the Weller family of brands.

I was interested to see that Luxco is using the brand name that BT now owns in their advertising:

"using the original secret Weller family recipe originating over 150 years ago."

Especially since Luxco is (apparently) buying HH juice to fill their Rebel Yell.

Being mindful that BF sued Barton over Ridgewood Reserve sounding too much like Woodford Reserve, I wonder if there is some arrangement that allows Luxco to use the Weller name.

Roger

[mozilla]

I would think that everyone involved in the sale, back in 1999, recieved a waiver to use the name Weller in regards to the mashbill. It was developed under the Weller family name. Plus, that was on the label since it's inception...which could probably be Grandfathered to a degree.

There were at least four brands from that distillery: Weller, Rebel Yell, Cabin Still and Old Fitz.

I believe that this new RY is 6yr product. It is also the reason the current RY has lost almost all of its color. They have dumbed down the basic for the same price, while using the old juice style for the newer high priced model. Well, at least we know Luxco is watching BT....that has been their M.O. for a time now, as well.

[cowdery]

Calling the wheated bourbon recipe "the Weller family recipe" benefits Buffalo Trace by supporting that particular mythology, which is by no means established historical fact. Since the Wellers were wholesalers, not distillers, the wheated bourbon recipe and yeast most likely came from their distilling partners, the Stitzel family.

But that's a name no one out there is flogging.

Presumably, Luxco gets most or all of its bourbon from Heaven Hill. The Rebel Yell web site said so explicitly.

[trx450]

This is supposed to be on the shelves in Frankfort tomorrow.Think i'm going to swing by the local store and grab a bottle.

Has anyone tried this one yet?

[Buffalo Bill]

Saw a new bottle on the top shelf. Rebel Yell Reserve. Wheated bourbon Sorry can't remenber an age or proof statement. My past expierence with rebel yell was not a good one. Anyone tried this new stuff?

The old RY from the late 80's and early 90's made the best Bourbon&Ginger out there. Haven't had it since... BB

[OldJack]

Any word on price? Because unless RYR is going to undercut every Weller lable out there by a couple of bucks, I'm not even going to give it a second glance. Why pay for RY at 6y90.6 in the same price range as either Weller 7y90 or 7y107?

Now, if they want to up get the proof over 110, maybe I'll bite. Maybe.

[leebo]

Thanks for the info. It was $ 20 on the shelf here in MA. I'll just have to buy and taste and report later.

[kickert]

Thanks for the info. It was $ 20 on the shelf here in MA. I'll just have to buy and taste and report later.

Please do...........

[trx450]

26.99 here in Frankfort.

I'm fairly new at tasting notes, and comparing how one bourbon fares against the others,but so far I seem to be a fan of the wheaters. Except for this one.I've tried and like makers mark,weller antique and van winkle reserve, my 1st impression of rebel reserve wasn't good.

As I said I'm new at tasting so don't write off rebel reserve on anything I've said.......you guys may love it.

[cowdery]

The standard Rebel Yell tastes very young, so even if this is a little older it might still be pretty young.

[Tarheel72]

I picked up a bottle today here in Dallas area for $20.88. Haven't cracked it yet.

[StraightBoston]

Leebo--

Where'd you see it in Mass? At $20-ish I'm willing to give it a crack!

[Buffalo Bill]

I've yet to see it anywhere in MA.

BB

[Kendall]

I purchased a bottle for $20.00. I have tried, but was not impressed, and would not recommend.

[sho4go]

My first time to post here. I have been a long time fan of Weller 12yr Old, in fact, although I used to sell Makers Mark for a distributor here in Texas, I have to say that I prefer the Weller. However, in my local store, Weller 12 Y.O. is no where to be found, in fact right now only the Weller 107 is available. I bought a bottle of the Rebel Reserve to give it a shot. My impressions are as follows:

On first sip, a little harsh, not as smooth as you might expect of a wheated bourbon, but the extra proof is evident over the standard RY offering. I poured this product over ice made with filtered water with a splash of same. As the ice melted the bourbon become easier to drink, it is still a bit on the young side, but should be judged on its own merit, not neccesarily compared to either its lower proof sibling or its higher priced competitors, at least until you've given it a chance. It certainly won't replace Weller 12 YO as my favorite, but since there isn't any of that around, I guess I'm free to check out the remainder of the field.

[Josh]

I purchased a bottle for $20.00. I have tried, but was not impressed, and would not recommend.

I like it. I do.

[Josh]

I purchased a bottle for $20.00. I have tried, but was not impressed, and would not recommend.

I bought a bottle of the Rebel Reserve to give it a shot. My impressions are as follows:

On first sip, a little harsh, not as smooth as you might expect of a wheated bourbon, but the extra proof is evident over the standard RY offering. I poured this product over ice made with filtered water with a splash of same. As the ice melted the bourbon become easier to drink, it is still a bit on the young side, but should be judged on its own merit, not neccesarily compared to either its lower proof sibling or its higher priced competitors, at least until you've given it a chance. It certainly won't replace Weller 12 YO as my favorite, but since there isn't any of that around, I guess I'm free to check out the remainder of the field.

I agree sho. I like it.

[wadewood]

My first time to post here.

Welcome to the board. I noticed your register date is about 3 years ago and this is your first post. Great to see lurkers become posters; I promise most of us do not bite.

Are you sill in liquor business? I take it you either worked for Glaziers or Republic.

Weller 12 is still easy to find in Houston. There was a shortage last year, but I have not seen it missing from any shelves in a while.

[jburlowski]

Welcome to the board. I noticed your register date is about 3 years ago and this is your first post. Great to see lurkers become posters; I promise most of us do not bite.

Are you sill in liquor business? I take it you either worked for Glaziers or Republic.

Weller 12 is still easy to find in Houston. There was a shortage last year, but I have not seen it missing from any shelves in a while.

Weller 12 has not been produced for some months but there is still some in the distribution pipeline. It's been gone here in Northern KY for about 7-8 months.

When I inquired recently, BT said Weller 12 would be back "this fall" but that distribution would be limited to a few states.

[JamesW]

I've had the Rebel Reserve and I can attest that it tastes is almost identical to the Weller SR. At $5 more per bottle I don't find it a reasonable deal.