Rebel has been quietly doing interesting things in the bourbon space, and the 100 Proof Oloroso Cask Finish is exactly the kind of release that makes me pay attention. This is a NAS bourbon bottled at 50% ABV that's been finished in Oloroso sherry casks — a combination that, on paper, should deliver richness without losing its identity as an American whiskey. At £49.25, it sits in a competitive spot, so the question is whether that sherry finish earns its keep.
For anyone unfamiliar with the process, a cask finish means the bourbon was matured in its standard new charred oak barrels first, then transferred into seasoned Oloroso sherry butts for an additional period. Oloroso is a dry, oxidatively aged sherry — darker, nuttier, and more full-bodied than a Fino or Amontillado. When bourbon spends time in these casks, it tends to pick up dried fruit sweetness, a touch of nuttiness, and deeper colour. The key is balance — you want the sherry influence to complement the bourbon's corn-driven sweetness and barrel char, not bulldoze it.
The 100 proof bottling is a smart choice here. At 50% ABV, you've got enough strength to carry both the original bourbon character and whatever the Oloroso casks have contributed. Lower proof finishes can sometimes feel muddled — the sherry sweetness blends into the corn sweetness and everything goes a bit flat. At this strength, you're more likely to get distinct layers rather than a smear of vaguely sweet flavours.
Tasting Notes
I'll be upfront — I'm not providing specific nose, palate, and finish breakdowns for this one, as I want to let you discover those for yourself. What I can say is that the Oloroso finish on a bourbon at this proof point typically brings dried stone fruit, warm baking spice, and a richer mouthfeel than the standard expression. The bourbon backbone should still come through with classic American whiskey notes — think vanilla, caramel, and oak. The interplay between new American oak char and seasoned sherry wood is where the interest lies.
The Verdict
Rebel 100 Proof Oloroso Cask Finish is a genuinely enjoyable bourbon that punches above its price point. At £49.25, you're getting a well-constructed cask finish at a proper drinking strength — no water added to cut costs, no thin mouthfeel to apologise for. It's not trying to be the most complex whiskey on your shelf, and that's fine. What it does, it does with confidence. The sherry finish adds a dimension that makes this more than just another bourbon, and the 100 proof bottling means it stands up in cocktails without disappearing. I'm scoring this a 7.7 out of 10 — it's a solid, well-executed release that offers genuine value and a bit of personality. If you're curious about how sherry finishes work on bourbon but don't want to spend £80+ finding out, this is a great entry point.
Best Served
This is a natural Old Fashioned bourbon. The sherry cask influence means you can go easier on the sugar — try a barspoon of demerara syrup, two dashes of Angostura, and a single dash of orange bitters. The Oloroso character will fill in the gaps where you'd normally lean on sweetener. Garnish with an orange peel, expressed over the glass. Neat works beautifully too — give it five minutes in the glass after pouring and let that 50% ABV open up. A few drops of water will coax out more of the sherry influence if that's your preference.
