OHLQ Announces Rebel Cask Strength - Hitting Shelves Week of 8/22

For the second time this month, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the release of a selection of Rebel... this time with the release of Rebel Cask Strength appearing on shelves the week of August 22 at a price of $54.99 + tax. 

The Distiller's Collection is a highly wheated bourbon recipe that is aged four years with a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malt. Since these are single barrels cask strength, each barrel will have a distinctive flavor. All are bottled at 120 proof (60% alcohol). The State has 7 barrels worth of product available at a first-come-first-serve availability. The tasting notes for each barrel are:

• Barrel #7755813 - Aromas of butterscotch and vanilla, opening to a full-bodied flavor that melts across the palate with rich notes creamy brown sugar caramel
  
  
• Barrel #7755945 - Notes of buttered toffee and toasted marshmallow, balanced with savory hints of candied bacon and maple sugar
  
  
• Barrel #7755947 - Soft vanilla nose, opening to a smokey, robust palate with hints of leather, evocative of an “old Kentucky dusty”
  
  
• Barrel #7784632 - Aromas of drizzled wild honey, opening to a classic “wheated” flavor profile; soft and approachable from start to finish with cascading hints of orchard fruit and ripe fig
  
  
• Barrel #7755778 - Soft aromatic notes of maple, opening to a warm, nutty profile, layered with overtones of wild honey and dried tart cherry
  
  
• Barrel #7755794 - Aromas of warm vanilla and toasted oak give way to decadent, creamy flavors of creme brulee and caramelized sugar
  
  
• Barrel #7755942 - Traditional “Stitzel Weller” aromas of sweet honey and caramel, with creamy overtones of toasted oak, brown sugar, and buttered popcorn, giving way to a long and lingering finish

It isn't known how many bottles are available, but to locate a bottle, use the OHLQ bottle finder.

My Take

I'm very confused how the Rebel Cask Strength is different than the Rebel Distillers Collection that was released two weeks ago so let's take a closer look. 

• Rebel Distillers Collection - $39.99 + tax, 113 proof, age - 4 years, wheated mash bill
• Rebel Cask Strength - $54.99 + tax, 120 proof, age - 4 years, wheated mash bill

As you can tell, the two product drops are nearly identical except for the slight difference in proof and the Rebel Cask Strength costing 38% more per bottle for some reason. With that, I'm going to pass on the Cask Strength because I feel like it's an overpriced variation of the same thing that was sold earlier in the month. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 

Source: OHLQ