Rebel Root Beer Whiskey returns with bold sassafras flavor, real bourbon roots, and a no-rules attitude designed for fun-loving drinkers.
Nostalgia has a way of sneaking up on us.
One minute you are ordering a serious pour at a leather banquette bar in New York or London. The next, you are craving the sweet, fizzy comfort of root beer. That tension between grown up taste and playful memory is exactly where Rebel Root Beer Whiskey lands.
After listening to fans who wanted something bold, weird, and joyful, Rebel Bourbon has brought back a cult favorite that refuses to behave. This is not a novelty sip hiding bad whiskey behind sugar. It is a real bourbon-based spirit that leans into sassafras, vanilla, and spice with confidence. Think flavor, fun-loving energy, and just enough rebellion to make your bartender smile.
A Flavor That Refuses to Behave
The first thing you notice about Rebel Root Beer Whiskey is the aroma. Classic sassafras and vanilla rise immediately, followed by the familiar warmth of aged bourbon. On the palate, it opens with sharp root beer notes of sassafras, vanilla, licorice, and molasses. Then the bourbon shows up with caramel and honey, finishing with lingering sweetness and a spicy sassafras snap.
This is where the fun-loving side really shines.
It tastes like someone took a childhood treat and gave it a velvet jacket. There is nothing shy about it. It is bold, playful, and surprisingly balanced. If you have ever laughed at the idea of a root beer float with bourbon and then secretly wanted one, congratulations. You are the target audience.
Rebel Root Beer Whiskey Has No Rules
“We listened to the real trailblazing rebels out there, and brought back Rebel Root Beer,”
Philip Lux
Rebel Bourbon brand manager
“It’s available in a variety of size options for enjoying neat, chilled, in cola cocktails and more. Rebel Root Beer is fun and tasty, but doesn’t have any rules – on purpose.”
That quote matters because it explains the why. Rebel Root Beer Whiskey is not trying to compete with rare single barrels or silent tasting rooms.
It is designed for enjoyment.
Neat. Chilled. In a cola.
In a highball that makes purists roll their eyes. That sense of humor is part of the appeal. Bourbon does not always need to take itself so seriously.
From Bardstown Roots to Modern Mischief
Rebel Bourbon is distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe. The brand uses a wheated mash bill tied to an original recipe dating back to 1849, first made at the Stitzel-Weller distillery. That heritage is real, not marketing fluff.
What makes this release interesting is the contrast.
A historically grounded bourbon house choosing to lean into something playful and fun-loving feels intentional. Rebel has the credentials to do it. The brand has earned major honors, including Single Barrel American Whiskey of the Year for Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards, along with top medals from respected competitions like the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This is not a company throwing darts in the dark.
For context on why those awards matter, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is widely considered one of the most influential judging bodies in the spirits world. You can explore its judging standards directly at their official site: https://www.sfspiritscomp.com
Design, Merch, and a Wink at Bar Culture
The label alone tells you this whiskey is here to have fun. A frothy mug of root beer sits next to a bourbon barrel, a visual joke that lands immediately. On-premise activations double down on that energy. Expect stickers, coasters, t-shirts, and hats featuring unmistakable “Shoot the Root” branding. There are even shot machines designed to serve chilled pours.
In upscale cities where bars compete on personality as much as pours, this matters. A little visual mischief goes a long way. It also makes the bottle a conversation starter, which never hurts when you are trying to explain to friends why you are pouring root beer flavored whiskey at a dinner party.
Relatability point earned.
How to Drink Rebel Root Beer Whiskey Without Overthinking It
This is not a meditation whiskey. It is a good-time whiskey. Chill it and pour it neat. Mix it with cola. Build a simple cocktail with vanilla ice cream if you want to lean all the way in. The flavor profile is forgiving and playful, which makes it ideal for experimentation.
And yes, you can enjoy it seriously and casually at the same time. That paradox is part of the charm. Another relatability moment. Sometimes you want complexity. Sometimes you want something that just tastes good and makes you smile.
Mini FAQ: Rebel Root Beer Whiskey
Q: Is Rebel Root Beer Whiskey made with real bourbon?
A: Yes. It is built on Rebel Bourbon, a wheated bourbon distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Q: What flavors should I expect from Rebel Root Beer Whiskey?
A: Sassafras, vanilla, licorice, molasses, caramel, honey, and a spicy, sweet finish.
Q: How should Rebel Root Beer Whiskey be served?
A: Neat, chilled, or mixed. There are no rules, on purpose.
Whiskey that leans hard into nostalgia
Rebel Root Beer Whiskey is not trying to convert purists. It is inviting the rest of us to loosen up. With serious bourbon credentials, a playful sense of humor, and a flavor profile that leans hard into nostalgia, it earns its place on the bar. If you believe great spirits can be both well made and fun-loving, this bottle deserves your attention. Find it, pour it, and stop apologizing for enjoying it.
