Rebel Yell Tweet Tasting – Something To Shout About!

Yelling since 1849!

On the Eve of the US Election I virtually attended a very appropriate Monday nights Tweet Tasting. The politics were left to others and instead we sampled some of the Rebel Yell Bourbon range.

Way more fun and everyone was a winner!

Hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire, the whiskeys sampled were:-

If you want to catch up on what all the tasters had to say you can view the tweets by searching for the hash tag #RebelYellBourbon on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon (40%)

Rebel Yell takes its name from the Confederate war cry, used during the American Civil War. The original Rebel Yell recipe was invented in 1849, at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky. Aged for at least four years, Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon, is made using a mash bill of wheat, corn and malted barley.

Nose: Lot’s of green apples and caramel, honey and pear and spearmint. Little bit of oakyness but mainly very fresh and sweet! Palate: Rich vanilla and caramel, sherbet sweet and green apples. A smattering of mintyness and there’s a dry woodiness as well. Finish: Smooth finish with a little chilli spice.

Tasting Notes – Rebel Yell Small Batch Reserve (45.3%)

Rebel Yell has been favoured by the like of Keith Richards and Billy Idol. Rebel Yell Small Batch Reserve is made using a mash bill of wheat, corn & malted barley.

Nose: Quite subtle in comparison with the Straight Bourbon. Some heavy vanilla and fudge. A lot more wood with rich fruits. Palate: Mmm .. rich fruit, vanilla, caramel and zingy mint! Smooth too! Buttery palate, hints of damp wood and apples. Finish: Fiesty peppery spice at the finish. A warming rebellion on the throat to be sure!

Tasting Notes – Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye (45%)

Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye is made using a mash bill of rye, corn & malted barley. Rebel Yell’s parent company Luxco is currently building a new distillery on a 70-acre site in Nelson County, Kentucky. The new distillery will house all the company’s bourbon brands including Rebel Yell, when completed later next year.

Nose: Vanilla and strong coffee grounds. More caramel and mint with the wood and apples thrown in. A more refined aroma to be sure. Palate: Ooh! A step up! Rich chocolate, caramel and green apples – superb! Bit of rich orange and mint coupled with sugared fruits. Would make a nice whiskey sour this one! Finish: Smooth, sweet and spicy – NOT a rebel on the tongue for sure!

Without a doubt, I think it’s got to be the Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye – rich, satisfying and warming – certainly worth joining the Revolution for!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire) for a great dram evening and of course, Rebel Yell (@RebelYell_UK), for sending the samples and without whom!

My fellow Tweeters were:-

@WhiskyDiscovery @allthingsbooze @whiskyrepublic @WhiskyWriter @jdpjamesp @RealDramRob @ocdwhisky @spikeydog120 @Maltman_Mike @stoo_broon @dramming_uk @NeilMacKinnon1 @cache1337 @Jamie_Rowley @SoundOfWhisky @Whi5kyGeek @dvdbloke @ivyeatsagain @brawspirit @cenbons @NNWhisky @Sal_Jones @whiskyfreak123 @raithrover @msykesjones @TheWhiskyKiwi @AWhetForWhisky @smileysmoggy

Rebel Yell is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

• Master of Malt
• The Whisky Exchange
• Gerry’s
• Hedonism
• Milroy’s of Soho
• Cadenheads
• The Drink Shop