Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.
The Rebel brand of American whiskey, which today includes both bourbon and rye, is known for having a strong following due to the bourbon’s high use of wheat as the secondary grain type. Originally developed as a brand at Stitzel-Weller in Kentucky in the 1930s, it transitioned in time through various hands, ultimately landing in the hands of MGP when it acquired its parent company, Luxco, in 2021. Today, it is managed by Luxco’s Lux Row Distillers group.
Rebel, once known as Rebel Yell, has seen a general upmarket movement from its once-budget whiskey ways. Several variations of it exist these days, with one of the most recent being Rebel 100 6-Year Bourbon, which is being reviewed here.
What’s in the bottle
Rebel 100 6-Year Bourbon is one of a handful of age-statement expressions under the Rebel line-up. This one is aged six years and bottled at 100 proof. Pricing is $59.99 per 750 ml bottle.
“Rebel 100 6-Year demonstrates that age is never a bad thing,” said Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe at the time of its release. “The combination of spotlighting our original recipe and aging it for six years resulted in a rich and rebellious, full flavor bourbon that I think will resonate with consumers. Six years is a long time to wait, but the wait was worth it.”