Unless you live in a state like Ohio, you probably aren’t buying Weller Special Reserve for $23 at any regularity. This is a shame too, because honestly, Weller Special Reserve is great at it’s price tag (and not worth $40-50 or even the $100 you’ll see at store that are gouging). So then what should you buy if you’re looking for a wheated bourbon? While the shining example on the hill is Maker’s Mark, they’re not the only brand, so what about Rebel 100 Bourbon which comes in $5 cheaper?
Rebel 100 Bourbon
- Distiller: Lux Row Distillers
- Age: Not Age Stated
- Proof: 100 (50% A.B.V.)
Sight: Deep copper
Smell: Peanut and chocolate lead out with a musty grain and preserved cherry note. Cinnamon and light alcohol notes come through with a little bit of orange and more raw grain. Hints of spice, like pepper or chili are present as well.
Sip: The mouthfeel is thin and pull in light dark chocolate flavors and hints of cereal grain. The mouthfeel is slightly rough, but gets some oak, tobacco, vanilla, and fleeting cherry or plum skin. Light citrus, smoked leather, and grain is present as well.
Savor: There’s a bit of bite that gives way to tobacco and oak and a slightly underlying fruit. Bitter cherry is also a little present in the edges.
Rebel 100 Bourbon is a little rough around the edges but not bad. There’s a few different things going on, but none of them are particularly pronounced or deep. The flavors that are present are cohesive but muddled. The entirety of the experience doesn’t really make it scream ‘drink me’ while neat.
In Cocktails
In a Manhattan there’s sweetness and a hint of spice and berry notes to start. The mouthfeel is a little on the light side, and the flavors have a black currant, cherry, and oak underpinning. Bits of chocolate and walnut wood round out the finish. As a Manhattan, Rebel 100 Bourbon feels a bit underwhelming and wouldn’t be a first choice.
In Review – Rebel 100 Bourbon
Rebel 100 Bourbon is light, easy going, and affordable. The proof doesn’t overly assert itself, which is nice. Nothing is bad here, but nothing is great either. At $20, this is right about where it should be, but it’s only a few dollars off of Maker’s Mark (or in the right place, Weller Special Reserve). The price difference just isn’t great enough to justify not taking the step up in quality.
If you’re willing to step away from wheated bourbon, there’s a lot competing in the $20 market, like Old Forester 100 and Jim Beam. Arguably Old Forester 100 delivers more in this context, and it’s really going to be about preference when compared with Beam. All of these might be more versatile choices for setting up your bar, with a wheated bourbon being an add on.