Hannah’s Rebel Yell 10 YR Single Barrel Review
Original review written January 28, 2020
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
I always seem to forget about this one, but it really shouldn’t be glossed over. The blend is wonderful and there are elements of every flavor profile to thoroughly enjoy. Read my Rebel Yell 10 YR Single Barrel Review here! 92/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Single Barrel
– Age: 10 yrs.
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 50% (100 proof)
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho
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ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
Wispy clouds dress a blue sky as you stand amidst a tall, brown field grass. A rustic windmill shines and glimmers as an afternoon sun hits it just right. You can’t help but smile at the simplicity and easy warmth that fills you right up. Everything just looks better and beautiful.
Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash
NOSE:
I get a quick nip of caramel alcohol with black pepper and cloves. The overall character, however, remains bright and fresh with a tang of citrus zest and a very subtle grass or hay component too. The oak is light, maybe even mixing with a touch of eucalyptus that assists in the brightening. Sugars contribute to a simple syrup, which really only seems to enhance the other flavors I’m getting.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Big and gritty, enticing me always to always to chew it.
– Balance: Very solid. Many different flavors all blending well together.
– Visual: Tawny in color, I’m left with only an uneven crown and thick legs in the glass.
– Taste: Bourbon warmth explodes on the tongue in the initial sip along with a grassy, earthy feel that instantly makes me want to chew it. (I’m refraining … for now.) The freshness is still there too, created by a slightly herbal or minty element, which I quite enjoy, and of course, the citrus component which is still mostly zest, I would say.
I get a little bit of white pepper for the spice indicated by the hint of sweetness included. That sweetness is coupled with a light sugar, caramelly syrup.
The alcohol is unassuming, acting as a carrier and supporter of the other flavors. Readers and followers will know from my other reviews that I always love and prefer when the alcohol functions in this capacity.
The oak is here too, but it has taken a back seat, providing a decent foundation for the other sensations to bounce off of. Again, I greatly favor whiskeys where there is a noticeable foundation like this, so I’m quite pleased.
When I finally partake in the Kentucky chew, caramel and a pop of maraschino cherries come out, leaving me very happy.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Long. The warmth is all over the place along with a very pleasant aftertaste.
– Between Sips: I’m left with vanilla, mint and grass. The vanilla may seem odd, but it is light enough that the flavors work very well together.
– No More: The flavors stay the same throughout the glass, but the grassy component seems to grow in intensity, and I’m not mad at it.
The empty Glencairn is a sugary, sweet oak with just enough bite to keep it interesting.
WORTH THE PRICE?
$60 is a lot to ask, certainly, but once you get into it, you’re glad you’ve got it. I’m in the market for another.
RATING: 92/100
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