Rebel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Rating: 8/23 This is one of those bottom shelf bourbons that has been on my mind for a while. I expect it to be pretty poor quality, but maybe it will be OK as a mixer. N: Light with minerality. That low ABV isn't doing this any favors. There are hints of tangerine, light caramel, and sweat. It's passable, but really not at all good. Maybe a hint of peanut richness to save this. P: Light, thin. Light caramel sweetness, pepper, elements of white corn, hints of tangerine with just a bit of bitterness from the rind. Lots of minerality. This is fortunately not very bitter. It's bland and not really good, but it's kind of passable. Still, it's too light and has too much minerality to be a really good mixer. F: This is a fairly light finish with more woodiness and pepper, as well as a lighter more watery caramel. It's not bad, but it's bland and light. At least some wood comes out here. - Conclusion - This isn't good. But I didn't expect it to be. It's not actually something I would drink neat, but I could see it as a mixer. I'll have to try it. This is even lighter than Jim Beam Original (9/23). It's less bitter though. Which is better? It's tough. I wouldn't put this as low as a 7, but an 11 seems too high too. I'm thinking an 8 or 9 and leaning toward an 8. It's just so much lighter than the Jim Beam, but it's also less bitter. Still, there's some bitterness here. The Sexton (9/23) is a bit sweeter and fruitier. It's more decadent and enjoyable, so I think I'm going with an 8. Eh, it still could be a a 9.

I mean, yeah. What can I say. It's not expensive, even when exported to Europe. But I know that some bottles can be surprisingly good, even the bottom shelf ones. Let's see if it can compete with my standard cheap-go-to-bourbon: Bulleit! Nose is kinda bland, light whiff of caramel, thin. No layers. A few earthy notes maybe. Thin mouthfeel. Slight bitternes of the wood. I must say that the flavour is not so bad at all, actually. Dark chocolate. Coffee. Baked bread. Few layers, but very sweet though. It could do with a fruity note. There is only a very, VERY tiny lemon in the last lingering bit of the aftertaste, which mainly tastes like wood, some tannins. It's okay I guess. It's kinda smooth, not bad at all. But it will never be a bottle i'll be excited about. So can it compete with Bulleit? For me, no. Only Buffalo Trace came close to the taste if the Bulleit Straight Bourbon in this price range. It's a pity, but the search will go on :-)

Ya know I was pleasantly surprised. No it’s not in the same category as weller or makers mark or other higher priced wheated bourbon. But this drinks we’ll enough to sip neat, on the rocks or as a great mixer. I paid 14 for this and I’d be happy to make a spot on my shelf for this. It’s young but it’s sweet, with notes of Carmel, hint apple and oak. Honestly I’m a fan of Larceny and this drinks pretty close to that.

Nothing special... kinda tastes like a combo of baseline Jim Beam and Jack Daniel's. My #1 go-to mixer whiskey with Coca-Cola. Not bad with other sugary cocktails. Would not use for classic or complex bourbon cocktails. Not very great neat... more palatable on the rocks. However, very affordable, and typically can find relatively cheap.

This is my favorite low cost Bourbon. Smooth taste. Easy to drink straight. Slightly sweet but not too much burn. Wheated bourbon. You won’t find a better low-cost bourbon out there.

It’s fine. I’d mix it. Much better on the rocks than neat. Wouldn’t go out of my way to find it, when I know that there are others in this (low cost) price range that I’d prefer.