Introduction
Today, we’re diving into Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon, a new release from Lux Row Distillers. If you're familiar with the Rebel brand, you already know it has quite a reputation, especially with its budget-friendly offerings like Rebel 100 and the Rebel Distiller’s Collection. However, this single barrel, 10-year-aged bourbon is a bit pricier, retailing at around $100. The whiskey is bottled at 100 proof and made with a wheated mash bill, which means it swaps out rye for wheat in the mix. We're excited to see if this release holds up to Rebel's other offerings and if it's worth the premium price tag.
This review is taken from our episode "American Sniper / Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey." Click the link to listen to this episode in audio format.
Nose
Brad: I think this is a really solid nose. Right off the bat, there's a rich caramel note, followed by a soft oakiness that adds depth. It also has a nutty quality to it—very peanutty in my mind. The more time I spent with it, the more I detected some interesting fruity notes, which I eventually pinned down as pineapple. It's sweet but in an unexpected way. I’m giving it 8.5/10.
Bob: I’m almost in the same place score-wise. Caramel really dominates the nose for me, almost like a caramel cheesecake at first. As the fruit notes developed, I got more peach than pineapple, kind of like a peach upside-down cake with that caramelized drizzle and a bit of breadiness. But after letting it sit in my glass for a while, I started to pick up a black licorice note—like a Good & Plenty candy. I know that’s not for everyone, but I love it! I’m also at 8.5/10.
Taste
Brad: On the palate, it turns into a really nice dark cherry flavor for me, and the oak is definitely prominent throughout. There’s a burnt caramel vibe along with some buttery vanilla. The vanilla shines a lot more here than it did on the nose. Overall, it's a solid expression of Rebel bourbon. I’m at 8/10.
Bob: I’d agree that it’s solid, but I found it a little thinner than expected. The 100 proof gives it a bit of a punch, and there’s a noticeable pepper spice—almost like cayenne—on the back of my palate. Oak really dominates here, and while I enjoy that, I think it lacks the nuance of Rebel’s Distiller’s Collection. It’s good, but not as complex as I hoped. I’m giving it 7.5/10.
Finish
Brad: I actually enjoyed the finish more than the palate. The dark cherry flavor sticks around, and the vanilla really rounds out the experience for me. There’s a nice dusty peanut vibe that lingers, and I thought the finish was strong. I’m giving it 8.5/10.
Bob: I found the finish pleasant, with vanilla making a comeback, which was a nice surprise. It didn’t quite have the complexity I wanted, but it left a good impression. I’m at 7.5/10 here.
Balance
Brad: For balance, I’m at 8/10. The whiskey is well-balanced overall, with enough complexity to keep things interesting. It’s consistent throughout, but I do wish there were more standout flavors.
Bob: I agree with you, Brad. It’s a well-rounded whiskey with no significant dips in quality, so I’ll give it an 8/10 as well.
Value
Bob: This is where things get tricky. At $100, this might be the first Rebel whiskey I think is a bit overpriced, especially when you can get Rebel Distiller’s Collection for about half the price. I think it's fair market value for a 10-year single barrel, but I’m not sure I'd buy another bottle. I’m giving it 6.5/10 on value.
Brad: I’m with you. It’s a solid whiskey but on the expensive side for what it delivers. I’m also at 6.5/10 for value.
Final Scores
- Bob: 38/50
- Brad: 39.5/50
- Average: 38.75/50
Conclusion
Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel is approaching the 40/50 mark, which is typically where we start giving a solid recommendation. It’s a good whiskey with strong flavors, but at $100, it’s priced a little high for what you’re getting. If you’re a fan of the Rebel line or single barrels in general, you won’t go wrong picking this up. However, if you’re looking for a bit more complexity, there are better options at this price point.
That said, if you can find a pour of this at a bar for around $15 to $20, it’s definitely worth trying. But for a bottle, you might want to split it with a buddy to justify the cost.
As always, the single-barrel nature means there could be some variation between barrels, so your experience might differ slightly. But overall, this Rebel offering is another enjoyable addition to the lineup, even if it doesn't quite hit the highs of some of its more affordable counterparts.
