Rebel Reserve 12 Year Single Barrel - Review

Stats

Rebel Reserve

Single Barrel - Barrel Proof

Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Aged 12 Years

Barrel No. 5651883 - Filled 9.30.09

Lux Row Distillers - Bardstown, Kentucky

Distilled & Aged in Kentucky

126.5 Proof

Mash Bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat,, 12% Malted Barley

Retail Price: $199

Poured Neat in a Norlan Glass

Color: Tawny

Nose: Brown Sugar, Rich Oak, Vanilla, Cinnamon

Palate: Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Pan-fried melted Butter, Caramel

Finish: A Warm Medium Linger with a great viscous mouthfeel

Overall: As soon as Lux Row announced the release of this bottle, it was only a matter of time before I made it a point to get to Bardstown again and secure one for the Library. As of now, this is a Distillery Only release and One per Person per day. The price tag of $200 may scare away some folks but when you look at the big picture, this is quite the find. Boasting the same Mash Bill as Old Fitzgerald and Larceny (Heaven Hill), this Cask Strength Single Barrel is a leap above the already pleasant Rebel 10 Year. The particular barrel I pulled from the shelf is 126.5 Proof and can be summed up quickly by saying, This is a Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake with Vanilla Frosting in a bottle. Of course the oak is present and very welcoming, but it's not the main attraction. The Brown Sugar is the MVP here. This has already become one of my top Bourbons of 2022 and we're only just getting started. What a pour!

Library Rating: 9.1 / 10

Stellum Bourbon Black - Review

Stats

Stellum Bourbon

Cask Strength Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

NAS

Distilled in Indiana, Kentucky & Tennessee

Bottled by Stellum Spirits, Louisville, Kentucky

109.22 Proof

Mash Bill: Undisclosed / Blended

Retail Price: $95

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Color: Burnt Amber

Nose: Vanilla, Light Fruits, Powdered Sugar

Palate: Peach Rings, Molasses, Brown Sugar

Finish: Medium Linger with a Sweet, Warm Coating

Overall: To be completely honest, the initial releases of the Stellum lineup (Bourbon & Rye), really didn't do much for me. But like any new product, it's all about going into it with an open mind. I'm glad I used some of my own advice in this case. At first sniff and sip, this comes across a bit sweet. I really do pick up Peach Rings on my palate so please don't crucify me for that tasting note. There is a level of complexity, however, and it threw me off my stride. While this blend starts with a sweet, candy-like approach, it rounds itself out into more of the oak, caramel and vanilla tones we all love in bourbon. The finish is what surprised me the most with this pour. It's quite inviting and lingers long enough to sift through that sweetness and get a bit of a hug on the backend.

Library Rating: 8.2 / 10

Lock Stock & Barrel Vatted Rye - Review

Stats

Lock Stock & Barrel

Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey

Produced and Bottled by R.J. Cooper & Son

Scobeyville, NJ

NAS

100 Proof

Mash Bill: Various / Blended

Origin: Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Alberta

Retail Price: $80-90

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Color: Deep Gold

Nose: Sweet with White Pepper tones. Complex, yet subtle.

Palate: A warm pepper spice which fades to a very smooth and viscous sweetness.

Finish: Long, Warm and Viscous.

Overall: I am quite impressed by this expression My only other experience with Lock Stock & Barrel was their 20 Year, which was phenomenal. I know I went from an extreme to a lesser known offering, but like I mentioned, I am impressed with this bottle. What's inside this gorgeous blacked-out bottle is a blend of delicious Rye from the US and Canada. The marriage is blended perfectly. At around $85, this is a well recommended pick-up if you see it. A great porch sipper!

Library Rating: 8.4 / 10