Rebel Yell 100 Proof Bourbon 750ML

Rebel "100 Proof" Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ML)

Rebel 100 Proof (historically labeled by retailers and collectors under its original title, Rebel Yell Reserve 100 Proof) is a legendary, high-value champion within the American wheated bourbon landscape. Managed by the innovative Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky (under parent company MGP/Luxco), this bottle acts as a highly intense, punchy upgrade to the brand’s historic, everyday 80-proof offering.

To navigate the bottle's identity properly, a quick history check helps: in 2020, Luxco officially dropped the word "Yell" and stripped away old Confederate-themed imagery from the label, cleanly rebranding the spirit as simply Rebel. Because Lux Row’s high-tech distillery only fired up its stills in 2018, bottles on shelves today represent an expertly managed transition from historic contract-distilled Heaven Hill stocks to Lux Row's own house-matured, estate-distilled wheated barrels.

Rather than relying on sharp, aggressive rye as its secondary flavoring grain, Rebel 100 relies on soft, sweet winter wheat. Entering the wood at a entry proof of 125, the liquid is matured in heavily charred new American white oak casks before being dialed back to a perfect, bartender-approved 100 Proof (50% ABV). This elevated proof unlocks a dense matrix of oak char, dark fruit, and baking spices that standard 80-proof expressions simply lack the strength to deliver.

Technical Product Specs

• Size: 750ML Clear Glass Format (Featuring its bold, modern minimalist "Rebel 100" logo layout)

• ABV/Proof: 50% ABV (100 Proof)

• Whiskey Style: Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey

• The Historic Mash Bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley.

• The Wood Program: Aged in traditional, medium #3 deep-char new American white oak casks.

• Critical Pedigree: Widely celebrated as an unbeatable, world-class "Best Buy" asset, capturing a Platinum Medal at the SIP Awards and continuous Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Tasting Notes: Flavor and Aroma Profile

The 50% ABV delivery allows the sweet corn sugars and wheat proteins to coat the mouth with an unctuous, syrupy viscosity, glowing dark amber-copper in the glass.

• Aroma (Nose): Inviting, sweet, and wonderfully aromatic. The bouquet opens with an upfront pastry wave of warm caramel, vanilla bear claws, and honeyed butter, beautifully integrated with secondary top notes of dried red cherries, roasted peanuts, and a gentle hint of charred oak.

• Palate (Taste): Robust, full-bodied, and surprisingly hot. The entry delivers an immediate flash of dark brown sugar and maple syrup. Across the mid-palate, it unrolls a vibrant, unexpected spice kick—layering intense cinnamon candy (Red Hots), nutmeg, and cracked black pepper over a rich, doughy wheat funk and dark cherry reduction.

• Finish: Medium to long, dry, and warming. The forward cinnamon heat recedes into a savory, wood-driven finale highlighted by peanut butter and jelly, cocoa powder, clean oak tannins, and lingering toffee.

High-Performance Mixology: Built to Compete

While the standard 80-proof Rebel can easily vanish when mixed with heavy syrups or citrus juices, the Rebel 100 is explicitly engineered to be a workhorse cocktail engine, slicing through heavy modifiers with immense grain authority.

• The High-Proof Wheated Old Fashioned: In a mixing glass, muddle 2 oz Rebel 100 Bourbon, 0.25 oz rich demerara syrup, and 2 dashes each of Angostura and orange bitters over hard ice until deeply chilled. Strain over a single large ice block into an upscale rocks glass and garnish with a thick orange peel. The 100-proof frame ensures the sweet caramel and oak elements punch through the melting water flawlessly.

• The Rebel Paper Plane: Combine 0.75 oz Rebel 100, 0.75 oz Aperol, 0.75 oz Amaro Nonino, and 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice in an ice-filled shaker. Shake violently for 15 seconds and strain into a coupe glass. The bourbon's native cherry and cinnamon spice pair spectacularly with the bittersweet amaro and orange oils.

Culinary Pairings

Rebel 100’s brilliant alignment of toasted peanut tones, rich caramel sweetness, and a dry, tannic wood finish makes it an exceptional partner for smoky fats, nutty cheeses, and rich desserts.

• Fatty & Smoked Barbecue: An absolute home-run pairing next to slow-smoked pork shoulder (pulled pork), beef brisket with a brown sugar rub, or sticky barbecued ribs. The charred oak and 100-proof heat melt away pork and beef fat cleanly.

• Nutty Artisan Dairy Platters: Pair a neat pour next to a charcuterie layout highlighting blocks of aged white Cheddar, crystal-heavy Gouda, or a wedge of Gruyère, which naturally echo the bourbon's toasted peanut and toffee elements.

• Warm Baking Confections: Match an evening glass alongside a slice of warm pecan pie, apple crisp with a vanilla bean scoop, or dark chocolate truffles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is this the same thing as the old "Rebel Yell Reserve" bottle?

Yes, the liquid inside is the identical award-winning recipe. In 2020, Luxco carried out a comprehensive brand update, shortening the historic name to simply "Rebel" to distance the brand from old Confederate cultural references. If you find an older bottle dusty on a liquor store shelf that still reads Rebel Yell Reserve 100, it is simply an older label variant of this exact same 100-proof wheated bourbon.

How does Rebel 100 compare directly to Maker's Mark or Larceny?

They are close relatives sharing the exact same wheated category, but they drive different flavor emphasis points:

• Maker's Mark: Bottled at 90 proof, it leans into a noticeably softer, more gentle, and floral profile dominated by sweet vanilla, soft red winter wheat dough, and very low wood spice.

• Larceny: Bottled at 92 proof by Heaven Hill, it is a highly texturing, dessert-forward pour packed with heavy maple syrup, butterscotch, and brown sugar density.

• Rebel 100: Bottled at a stouter 100 proof, it trades away soft dessert sweetness for a noticeably spicier, bolder, and more energetic experience—delivering a massive, front-of-the-tongue punch of cinnamon candy, roasted peanuts, and charred oak.

Does this bourbon taste dry or sweet?

It drives a beautifully balanced, sweet-and-spicy trajectory. The soft winter wheat gives the initial entry a lovely, sweet perception of caramel pastry and cherry jam. However, because it is bottled at 100 proof and aged in deeply charred casks, the finish shifts rapidly into a dry, warm, and highly satisfying finale dominated by oak tannins, cocoa dust, and cinnamon bark.