Two weeks ago I covered a pair of Ezra Brooks store picks that I’d picked up in Kentucky and the branding program that led to each bottle having a different name. Tonight we are taking a look at the wheated versions of the same program by looking at a Rebel Distiller’s Collection store pick and a Rebel Cask Strength store pick. I went over the program in the Ezra Brooks post but to recap:
There are two main differences between these two labels. The first is the proof. Rebel Distiller’s Collection store picks are bottled at 113° proof while Rebel Cask Strength store picks are bottled at 120° proof. The other difference is in how the picks occurred. Distiller’s Collection picks are allocated and are done via samples sent to the retailer. There are no in-person barrel picks for these barrels. The Rebel Cask Strength picks, on the other hand, are not allocated and are only done at Lux Row Distillery. So what each label tells you, the consumer, is whether your retailer went to the distillery to pick the barrel or whether it was sent to them via samples. As I said last time, I’m sure there is a reason for this that I am not seeing since I do not work in either a distillery or a liquor store. But in any case, there you go.
So let’s check out a couple of store picks. The Distiller’s Collection is from Jax Liquors in Chattanooga, Tennessee and the Cask Strength is from Liquor Barn in Danville, Kentucky.
Rebel Cask Strength Single Barrel Selections
Rebel Distiller's Collection (Jax Liquors)
Purchase Info: $39.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Jax Liquors, Chattanooga, TN.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $2.67
Details: 56.5% ABV. Barrel #: 7503430. Barrel filled: 9/30/2016.
Nose: Dried grains, wheat bread, mint, and a hint of honey.
Mouth: Hot and sweet with a good mouthfeel. Notes of honey, cinnamon, and wheat bread.
Finish: Long and warm. Strong notes of cinnamon candies and honey.
Rebel Cask Strength (Liquor Barn #4)
Purchase Info: $58.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Liquor Barn, Danville, KY.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.93
Details: 60% ABV. Barrel#: 7270811. Barrel filled: 12/31/2015.
Nose: Dusty oak (think the inside of a rick house), cinnamon, and honey.
Mouth: Oak, cinnamon, chocolate, and orange.
Finish: Warm and long. Follows the mouth with notes of orange, chocolate, cinnamon, and oak.
Thoughts: These are both very good, yet noticeably different. The Jax Liquors bottle was very hot, but also really sweet. The Liquor Barn bottle showed much more oak and a sort of orange note that I found a bit surprising. The orange is kind of like the orange slice jelly candies. I wasn't expecting that. It's tasty though. The chocolate notes really elevate this one. If forced to choose I'd choose the sweeter Jax bottle. My wife however is drawn to the Liquor Barn bottle. Good thing we bought both!
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