For hundreds of years, rye matched or outpaced corn as the predominant grain used in the production of whiskey. So, if a whiskey meets those requirements, what makes a bourbon great and where does Rebel Yell fall on this spectrum? This was the first straight bourbon selection made by the company which has a proof rating of 70 and alcohol content of 35% by volume. If you’re looking for the cheapest whiskey to mix with a whiskey coke, Kentucky Deluxe is the way to go. Even with the exact same mash, my guess is that Luxco is going for something a little different, so Rebel Yell isn’t just rebranded Larceny with slightly higher proof, although I definitely appreciate the higher proof.

Nose: The initial fleeting rubber eraser smell at first nose segues into rustic flavors of lemon citrus, honey, green peppercorn, and raw pear. The Rebel brand of bourbon whiskey, formerly known as Rebel Yell bourbon, was acquired in 1999 by the David Sherman Corporation, which was rebranded as Luxco in 2006. While each variety is made using different ingredients and aging lengths, they all contain many of the same core elements which combine to make the primary mash bill that they are distilled from. Now that we’ve gone over some of the most important elements as they relate to the flavor and taste of primary RY distillations, let’s look at some of the tasting pros and cons that we’ve found.

Whatever the factors that pulled at my subconscious, I took the plunge and bought the bottle that I’ll be reviewing for you today. Rebel Yell 100 is made using the same recipe as the original Rebel Yell bourbon, but with a higher proof.

Civil War soldiers, upon hearing the yell from afar, would quip that it was either " Jackson, or a rabbit", suggesting a similarity between the sound of the yell and a rabbit's scream. This selection is a very balanced and well-distilled variety that comes with dried cherry flavors throughout which adds the right amount of fruity contrast to the final blend.

The wheated mash bill gives the bourbon a smooth and mellow flavor profile, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. For a drink that started out with a bit of a rocky beginning in this review, I’m surprised how well this makes for a proper old fashioned. This is also a very nice balanced bourbon option that is packed with tons of unique notes and tastes that you will enjoy regardless of your preferred taste. Any “straight” bourbon must be aged a minimum of two years, and if it doesn’t display an age statement, it must be aged at least 4 years.

Throughout this variety, you will find hints of butter flavor combined with honey which gives the bourbon a nice rich texture.

The overall taste of this bourbon ranges in the spicy and sweet which makes for a complex and contrasting taste profile.

Rebel Yell 100 Proof Wheated Bourbon is the newest wheated bourbon in Luxco’s Rebel Yell line of whiskeys, including Rebel Yell 80 proof and Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel. However, by carrying the term ‘Straight Bourbon’ on the label, the youngest barrel in each batch’s blend must be aged for a minimum of two years in new oak. Rebel Yell 100 is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) and is made with a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. The 10-year old Rebel Yell single barrel bourbon selection is one of the longest aged varieties offered by Rebel Yell being that it is aged in charred oak barrell for 10yrs.Like all bourbon, wheated bourbons are still required to contain at least 51 percent corn in the mashbill. Rebel Yell was a term that represented the confederate army, so they changed things up to market to a larger consumer base.