I absolutely loved the cask I got in 2016 and the Rebel Yell 10 Years Single Cask 2017 is following fairly close behind its predecessor. Like last year’s release, and all other Rebel Yell releases, this is a wheated whiskey created by Heaven Hill; presumably using the same wheated whiskey recipe as their Old Fitzgerald and Larceny whiskeys.
In Luxco’s Words: Rebel Yell 10 Years Single Barrel 2017
“An ultra-premium bourbon, Rebel Yell Single Barrel is robust in flavor with a mature finish and is hand-bottled for a uniquely rebellious experience. By bottling the bourbon barrel-by-barrel, each bottle will have a unique flavor profile – depending on how it aged, its location in the rick house and the flavor development within that particular barrel.”
Like last year there will only be 2,000 cases released for all of the USA so finding one will be a bit tough; especially with bottles from the 2016 release fetching around $200 on the East Coast. And with that let’s dive into the nitty gritty of the Rebel Yell 10 Years Single Barrel 2017 review.
Rebel Yell 10 Years Single Barrel 2017 Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Heaven Hill
Bottler: Luxco
Mashbill: Corn, Wheat and Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred oak
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 50%
Barrel: 5043515
Price: $60*
Rebel Yell 10 Years Single Barrel 2017 Review
EYE
Golden caramel
NOSE
Oak aged butterscotch; roasted grain, baking spice, toffee, biscuits, hazelnuts and a light bit of dark fruit and vanilla taffy. Oddly light.
PALATE
Spiced butterscotch; Baking spice, roasted corn, nuts, dark fruit leather, biscuits, oak and mint. Not bad, not amazing, but not bad.
FINISH
Medium fade of oak, dark sweets, spice and mint.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, medium body and silky dry feel.
OVERALL
Rebel Yell 10 Years Single Barrel 2017 is a good, full, oak driven whiskey.Adding water to this cask adds a little bit of dried cherries and wood varnish to the aroma and palate but that’s about it but it doesn’t blow me away quite like last year’s releases did. I got to try three different casks from last year and each one was a heavy, deep, rich and delicious whiskey I wanted to wear as cologne. Though remember, these are single casks.
Unless you have the same cask number this sample came from you’re going to have at least a slightly different experience than I did. Maybe better, maybe worse, who knows; that’s the fun of single casks. If you end up picking up a Rebel Yell 10 Years Single Barrel 2017 I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below, just be sure to include your cask number.
SCORE: 88/100 (B+)
*Disclosure: This Rebel Yell 10 Years Single Barrel 2017 sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.