Have any of you tried Rebel Yell yet?

[johnnyflake45]

It is a very inexpensive Wheated Bourbon. I am wondering what you thought are about it and it's drink-ability.

[Flyfish]

I tried a Rebel Reserve a few years ago because I thought it would be a step up from the RY--about which I had never heard anything good. If the Reserve was a step up, it was still the bottom step on the way up from the basement. There are better bottom shelfers that are more deserving of attention.

[Old Dusty]

What Flyfish said. RR and RY are as bottom as bottom shelf can be IMO. Young, under proofed Heaven Hill wheaters=bad news.

[ebo]

I don't think much of it.... or it's drinkability. I think it's pretty bad stuff, but that's just my opinion. I'm sure someone likes it. Different strokes and all...lol.

[johnnyflake45]

I just finished a modest pour, myself, for the first time. I am really not sure what I think. For me, it seems to have more alcohol than advertised and it's very vibrant, some lemony acidity and some honey on the finish. I'll need to try it a few more times, to see what I really think.

[Scotch Neat]

My first impression of Rebel Reserve was "this is crap", after the bottle sat for a few months i gave it another try.

It definitely improved, but would I buy it again? No!

[emr454]

I tried it once and that was enough for me. I can't recall what I paid for the bottle but I'm sure it was $15 or less. For me, I'd go with Larceny. It's pricier but worth it IMO.

[Richnimrod]

RY & RR are both equally thin and mediocre; at least to my taste buddies. I won't buy either of 'em ever. I don't think either would have enough character to serve in any cocktail or mix; and for sure not straight up or on the rox. I'm sure some folx like their Bourbon wimpy and thin; but I don't know who.

[jwes1776]

I bought some on a whim for a football Saturday once. Most of us agreed it was not very good, even as a mixer.

[goodfelladh]

As a total bourbon newb, Rebel Yell is the only purchase I wish I hadn't made and that I don't care for. I was looking for an inexpensive wheated option, but agree with everyone who has commented in this thread about the "thin" taste. It tastes very thin, and honestly just not appealing to me. I'm hopeful to set it out for folks to mix with something when I have party in the near future and I can be done with it!

[silverfish]

I thought maybe this thread was about one of the newer RY expressions -

Small Batch Reserve, Rye, Cherry or Honey.

Not that I have much interest in any of them (except maybe SBR) but I find

the standard RY to be drinkable on it's own and nice as a mixer but as others

have said, there are better choices if you want a wheater.

I don't think RY has been BOTM yet - maybe it's time?...

[TunnelTiger]

It was a go to back in the 60's but either it's changed or my palate has because it's not something I can drink today.

[squire]

I've tried the new versions and can't recommend them. Can't quite put my finger on it either but it may be modern production techniques (higher proof off the still and into the barrel, for instance) make final barrel selection even more important for wheat recipe Bourbons. Rebel Yell and Larceny may start out as the same whisky but there sure is a difference in the final product.

[Josh]

I don't think Rebel Reseve is terrible. That's the nicest thing I can say about the current Rebel Yell.

[Harry in WashDC]

As Thumper said in 'Bambi':

"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

[johnnyflake45]

After a couple of pours in a few days, I have to agree that it is not a worthy but, even at $9.95 for a 750.

However, last night, I had a thought and mixed it 60% Rebel Yell with 40% Makers 46. That turned out to be a whole new thing and it tastes pretty dam good. I am going to try that again today, but with 60% Rebel and 40% WLW 12yo.

If anyone has some Rebel Yell and are just sitting on it, because you don't care for it, I suggest you try a Vatting/Mix as I mentioned above. It may save you from simply throwing the Rebel away.

[squire]

Vatting sounds like a good idea, certainly something I would consider before giving up on it.

[cowdery]

I had a manhattan made with the rye last night at the Berkshire Room and it was very good, superb in fact.

It was a Luxco event. Luxco is really making a play to up their bourbon game. In addition to Rebel Yell, they're upgrading David Nicholson and introducing a new line of limited edition releases called Blood Oath. They're lead bourbon is Ezra Brooks, including 12-year-old Ezra B. They're one of the biggest rectifiers in the country so they own a lot of whiskey. They've had a large production contract with Heaven Hill since the 1950s (open secret) and are probably one of the first places called when a distillery needs to unload a surplus. Recently they acquired Limestone Branch, a Kentucky micro owned by two members of the Beam family, which will be the new home of Yellowstone.

And they're really sorry about the whole DSP-16 thing with David Nicholson.

[fishnbowljoe]

And they're really sorry about the whole DSP-16 thing with David Nicholson.

I'm really glad you posted that Chuck. Thanks.

Joe

[Paddy]

I'm really glad you posted that Chuck. Thanks.

Joe

I wish the Beam boys over at Limestone nothing but the best. If they can make it until the 'new' Yellowstone bears fruit, I guess we'll all have to give some thanks to Luxco for helping them along.

God knows you can't make only on the coat tails of Minor Case's Sugar Shine and an already played out reality TV show.

[mosugoji64]

This seems like a very good arrangement for Limestone since they'll have the support of Luxco to get them through until the bourbon is mature. Hopefully Luxco doesn't get impatient and force any shortcuts.

[alstevens]

I'm in the minority and I'm starting to think my palate has a ways to go to reach the development of the majority of the posters here.

First time I tried WSR was back in Jan 2015. That night I purchased the WSR I purchased Rebel Reserve. Both were $19.

The RR is long gone, but I don't remember being offended by it at all and here's where the development of my taste may be lagging but I thought it held it's own with the WSR.

Wheater wise, I'd pick it over Larceny and Makers which sit slightly higher on the shelve.

It's been a few years since I've had Rebel Yell. I had a buddy in grad school who drank that daily. He loved it and still does I believe I wasn't offended by it then, but I'll be honest it was party drinking so there wasn't much thought behind it.

[squire]

I can't count the number of times over the years I've heard someone dismiss a brand because of a bad experience with it in College.

[Harry in WashDC]

To say nothing of high school. Canadian Club with Canadian Ace beer chasers anyone?

And, I still have nothing to say about RY.

Edited May 4, 2015 by Harry in WashDC
to get back to the thread . . .

[Josh]

I wish the Beam boys over at Limestone nothing but the best. If they can make it until the 'new' Yellowstone bears fruit, I guess we'll all have to give some thanks to Luxco for helping them along.

God knows you can't make only on the coat tails of Minor Case's Sugar Shine and an already played out reality TV show.

The contract with the TV moonshiner is done, probably to the relief of Stephen & company.