Rebel Bourbon

When William Larue Weller pioneered his wheated bourbon recipe in 1849, he set the foundation for what would become one of Kentucky's most enduring expressions. The whiskey that carries this legacy today is Rebel Bourbon, a brand with roots reaching back to the 1930s and a modern home at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown.

History & Heritage

The Rebel story begins at Louisville's historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery, where Charles R. Farnsley created the Rebel Yell brand in the 1930s. Initially distributed only in the South, the bourbon found national recognition after Luxco acquired it in the 1980s. The brand shed its "Yell" moniker in 2020, becoming simply Rebel, and now operates under MGP Ingredients following their 2021 acquisition of Luxco.

The Whiskey

Rebel maintains its wheated heritage with a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, creating the smooth profile that wheat brings to bourbon. The distillery produces expressions ranging from their 80-proof standard bearer to the acclaimed 10-Year Single Barrel, which earned Double Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards. Their 100-proof expression has consistently collected Gold medals, while the portfolio includes a Small Batch Reserve and a straight rye whiskey for those seeking spice over smoothness.

Why It Matters

Rebel represents the wheated bourbon tradition at an accessible price point, making Weller's legacy available to those who appreciate smooth, approachable whiskey without the hunt required for its more famous cousins. The 10-Year Single Barrel expressions, in particular, demonstrate how proper aging transforms wheated bourbon into something worth seeking out for The Sentinel Room's Reserve Whiskey Library.