Rebel 100 Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is one of those bottles that does exactly what it says on the label — and does it well. Bottled at 50% ABV (that's the 100 proof the name refers to), this is a bourbon that isn't messing around. It sits in a sweet spot that a lot of producers miss: strong enough to carry real flavour without turning into a barrel-proof endurance test. For £47.25, you're getting a genuinely solid Kentucky straight bourbon at a proof point that punches above plenty of pricier competition.
As a bartender, I've always had a soft spot for 100-proof bourbons. There's a reason this proof point has such a long history in American whiskey — it was once the legal standard for bonded whiskey, and while Rebel 100 isn't a bonded expression, bottling at that strength tells you the distiller wants you to taste the whiskey, not just the water. At 50% ABV, you get structure. You get body. You get something that stands up in a cocktail without vanishing behind the vermouth, and something that rewards a slow, neat pour on its own terms.
Rebel 100 is a NAS (no age statement) release, which in the bourbon world simply means flexibility — the blenders are working to hit a flavour profile rather than chasing a number on the label. For Kentucky straight bourbon, the legal minimum is two years in new charred oak, but most NAS bourbons from established Kentucky producers sit well beyond that. What matters is what's in the glass, and Rebel 100 delivers a style that's full-bodied and approachable in equal measure.
Tasting Notes
I'd encourage you to pour this one and let it open up for a few minutes. At 100 proof, a little air does wonders. Expect the classic Kentucky bourbon signature — think caramel, vanilla, and oak as your foundation, with that higher proof lending backbone and a longer, warming finish. A few drops of water will soften things without flattening the experience. This is a bourbon built on wheat-recipe heritage, so anticipate a softer, rounder grain character compared to high-rye mashbills.
The Verdict
Rebel 100 isn't trying to be the most complex bourbon on your shelf, and that's perfectly fine. What it is, is reliable, flavourful, and honestly priced. At £47.25 and 50% ABV, you're getting genuine value — plenty of bourbons charge more and deliver less. It's the kind of bottle I'd keep on my home bar permanently: good enough to sip neat on a Tuesday night, sturdy enough to anchor a proper cocktail on a Saturday. A 7.5 out of 10 feels right here. It does what it sets out to do, does it confidently, and doesn't ask you to remortgage your house for the privilege.
Best Served
This is a natural Old Fashioned bourbon. That 100 proof means it won't get lost under the sugar and bitters — build it with a barspoon of demerara syrup, two dashes of Angostura, a big ice cube, and an orange peel expressed over the top. If you prefer it neat, give it five minutes in the glass and add a teaspoon of water to open it up. Either way, Rebel 100 rewards you for keeping things simple.
