Bourbon Cheapskate: Rebel 100
Every now and then, Shores Liquors (here in Jacksonville) puts something on sale that’s too good to pass up. This week it was Rebel 100 — normally $29.99, but marked down to just $21.99 for a full liter. That’s the kind of deal that makes a cheapskate’s heart beat faster. And with reviews calling it a solid buy even at regular price, I had to bring it home.
The Background
Rebel has a storied history. Once known as Rebel Yell, this wheated bourbon traces its lineage back to the old Stitzel-Weller days. Today it’s distilled at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky, part of the Luxco/MGP family. Rebel 100 clocks in at 100 proof (50% ABV) and uses a classic wheated mash bill: corn, wheat, and malted barley. No fancy age statement here, but this is a whiskey built for everyday sipping rather than collectible pretension.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Light golden to amber in the glass.
- Nose: Starts with light oak, then moves into caramel and vanilla, with a faint citrus brightness and a touch of peanuts.
- Palate: The peanuts jump right in on the first sip, along with a quick hit of ethanol. As things settle, baking spice, vanilla, and oak come forward in layers.
- Mouthfeel: Not the thickest pour out there, but better than average — it carries the flavors nicely.
- Finish: A sweet-and-spicy sendoff, led by cinnamon and those nutty notes, with warmth that lingers just long enough.
Final Thoughts
Even at $30 for a liter, Rebel 100 would be a respectable value. At $22, it feels like a steal. This isn’t a bourbon trying to impress with complexity — instead, it delivers exactly what it promises: a bold, approachable pour that’s just as at home neat as it is on a cube or in an Old Fashioned.
It’s also the kind of whiskey I’d be happy to pour for friends or keep to myself on a cool fall evening. In fact, that’s exactly what I’m doing tonight — taking a glass out on the patio, letting the spice and sweetness warm me up while the autumn air cools me down.
Verdict: Rebel 100 earns its place on the cheapskate’s shelf — proof that a simple, honest bourbon can be more rewarding than you expect, especially when you catch it on sale.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
