Rebel 100 Bourbon Finished in Cabernet Franc Casks Review

Distillery: Lux Row Distillers—Bardstown, KY

Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)

Age: Four Years plus an undisclosed finish period

Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley

MSRP: $40

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Wine Meet Wheat

Lux Row’s Rebel 100 latest limited release takes its highly familiar base—its 100 proof wheated bourbon—and explores the potential of secondary finishing through to Cabernet Franc wine barrels sourced from Childress Vineyards.  

Located in Lexington, North Carolina, Childress is a prominent estate winery that produces over 30 wines from European grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay, as well as native muscadine grapes.  What sets them apart—particularly for a whiskey partnership—is their focus on single-varietal expressions, including their well-regarded Cabernet Franc, which showcases a bright acidity, red berry structure, and a subtle earthy dryness.  

This expression offers something relatively rare in the secondary finished category:  a wheated mash bill finished not in port or sherry, but with the help of a dry red wine cask.  With only 500 cases produced, this seems like a controlled experiment—a quality that will appeal to enthusiasts looking for something distinct yet grounded from a nationally known brand.

Let’s take a deep dive and see how the qualities of a Cabernet Franc influence the foundational whiskey.  Do these qualities translate naturally and allow the wine-soaked oak to impart fruit tones without pushing the spirit into overt sweetness or does the experiment go awry?  Read on and let’s find out…..

Rebel 100 Bourbon Finished in Cabernet Franc Casks Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.2/5

Notes of black cherry, spiced plum, and vanilla immediately rise from the glass.  Time in the glass leads to light floral notes as well as a trace of oak char help keep it grounded.  Some may find the Nose pleasant but safe—not bold or complex.

Palate – 4.3/5

Ripe dark berries, caramel drizzle, and chocolate-covered cherries heavily influence the Palate.  Comparing the foundational bourbon, the wine cask influence seems to bring a dryness that balances the initial sweetness.  The 100 proof shows is assertive here, with some noticeable heat mid-Palate that could catch you off guard.  The heat doesn’t overwhelm, but it’s less seamless than what the Nose suggests.  The warming intensity slightly overshadows the fruit and spice layering at a critical moment for the Palate.

Finish – 4.1/5

Lingering notes of wine-soaked oakiness, leather, and gentle tannin makes for a complex fade.  It’s not overly long or evolving—it basically stays in the same flavor profile from start to finish.

Value – 4.4/5

At $40, you’re getting a limited-release, wine-cask-finished, 100-proof wheated bourbon for less than many secondary-finished products that are on the shelf.  The partnership with Childress Vineyards adds further credibility.  An accessible and smartly priced bottle for enthusiasts interested in wine-cask finishes.

Rebel 100 Bourbon Finished in Cabernet Franc Casks Review: The Verdict

Rebel 100 Finished in Cabernet Franc Casks may be an experiment; if it is then it’s an experiment that pays off with a well-integrated limited release.  The wine cask influence is quite noticeable but not overwhelming, and the wheated bourbon base carries it well.  This bottle will appeal to those who appreciate Rebel 100 and prefer careful tweaks to the classic profile rather than bold, attention-grabbing changes.

It won’t redefine the secondary finish category, but it will surprise those who assume wine finishes are all sweetness.  Available exclusively in North Carolina and at the Lux Row Distillery in Bardstown, this limited release offers a uniqueness at an accessible price point—if you can get your hands on it. Shop now.

Verdict – 4.25/5

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