Distillery: Lux Row Distillers – Bardstown, Kentucky
Proof: 108.0 (54.0% ABV)
Age: Four Years
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
MSRP: $40
A Single Barrel That Outperforms Its Age
Rebel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Single Barrel brings a focused bottle of what Lux Row can do when its wheated bourbon is pushed into single barrel territory. Marketed as selected by NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, this barrel carries an extra appeal of a private pick. More important is how the whiskey is built out.
At 108 proof, it has enough moxy to show its depth and mouthfeel without crossing over into an aggressive territory. The mashbill is Rebel’s traditional 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley and as with their standard releases, offers sweetness and softness.
At just 4 years old, this is not an age-stated bourbon which makes the single barrel selection especially important. A younger bourbon at this proof can come across as under matured. Barrel # 86215 works by giving a clear, clean, and flavorful version of a wheated single barrel bourbon and is at a highly approachable pricepoint.
Rebel Single Barrel (86215) Bourbon – Selected by Kyle Busch Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.5/5
Caramel corn. Frosted Flakes. Barrel char. Aged oak.
Strengths: The nose is immediately expressive and clear of any off-putting alcohol vapors. The cereal sweetness works especially well by making for a familiarity on the Nose. The char and oak keep it from moving overly soft. It smells youthful, but in a lively way rather than unfinished.
Why It’s Not Higher: The sweeter notes lead the Nose more than the grain or oak does.
Rating Justification: Inviting. Well-defined. Delivers exactly what you want from a wheated single barrel without becoming overly simple.
Palate – 4.6/5
Caramel. Toasted almond. Cinnamon. Baked apple. Oak spice.
Strengths: The Palate is where this whiskey separates itself. Full mouthfeel. Well-rounded sweetness on entry that transitions seamlessly into toasted nuts, and baking spice. The proof is dialed in, giving the whiskey weight while serving to enhance the flavors. The oak notes give structure without drying the sip. The flavors are integrated from front to back Palate.
Why It’s Not Higher: The profile remains centered on sweet, oak-driven notes.
Rating Justification: Excellent balance. Strong mouthfeel. Integration of sweetness and oak. A high-performing Palate that delivers on depth of flavor notes.
Finish – 4.4/5
Medium. Baking spice. Toasted oak.
Strengths: Stays true to the Palate and gives a warm, steady fade. Built around spice and oak.
Why It’s Not Higher: Finish is solid, but it is less developed than the Nose and Palate. Carries a pleasant warmth and spice. Does not leave a particularly lasting impression.
Rating Justification: Finish supports the whiskey well. Stops short of being especially layered. Not one that you’ll remember or talk about next week.
Value – 4.8/5
At $40, this is where the bottle becomes especially compelling. Single barrel wheated bourbon at 108 proof is already a strong proposition at this price point, and the fact that it delivers a clean Nose, solid Palate, and consistent baking spice makes it even easier to recommend. It is not trying to compete with older or more limited premium single barrels. Instead, it offers a lot of flavor and personality at an everyday enthusiast price point. That combination of proof, single barrel appeal, and accessible cost makes the Value one of the strongest parts of the overall package.
Rebel Single Barrel (86215) Bourbon – Selected by Kyle Busch Review: The Verdict
This is not a gimmick; it is a well-selected barrel. Sweet grain notes and barrel influence gives it stand-out character, while the 108 proof enhances the flavors and overall profile. It does not have the depth of more mature single barrels, but it does not need to at the price. What it offers is a flavorful, honest, and easy-to-recommend bourbon that delivers more than enough for $40. For enthusiasts who enjoy sweeter bourbon profiles with a touch of spice and char, Barrel #86215 is an easy win.
Verdict – 4.6/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.
