Rabbit Hole Regallier Bourbon Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: B+

Rabbit Hole Distillery Series Regallier begins with a good Kentucky Straight Bourbon and uses French oak casks to create something special. They use a high rye, double malt bourbon mash bill that begins resting in #3 wood-fired, toasted and charred new American Oak barrels and is finally tempered in French Oak casks. The resulting French oak influence takes a relatively good Kentucky Straight Bourbon and tempers it into something delicious.

“Every time cultures come together there is an opportunity for creativity. Regallier is a beautifully balanced, full-bodied bourbon that showcases two distinct traditions and embodies Rabbit Hole’s commitment to originality and innovation,” said Kaveh Zamanian, Chief Whiskey Officer, North American Distillers & Founder of Rabbit Hole.

Regallier is made from Rabbit Hole’s high-rye, double malt bourbon mashbill (also used in their Heigold Bourbon expression) consisting of 70% corn, 25% malted German rye, and 5% malted barley. The bourbon is bottled at 108.5 proof.

Rabbit Hole Distillery also uses a lower barrel entry proof of 110. This technique is known to enhance flavor as at the lower barrel entry proof, water penetrates the wood more easily than alcohol. This creates an environment where more sugars and softening tannins are extracted while permitting undesirable compounds to evaporate more readily.

The Bourbon
The Regallier Bourbon is a dark honeyed-brown color. The nose is full of citrus peels, toffee, toasted oak and hints of vanilla.  The front and mid-palate have a creamy and rich mouthfeel with flavor hints of dry toasted nuts, over-ripe cherries, and Caramel. The finish is long and pleasantly dry with hints of mocha, creamy dried-fruits, baking spices and an enjoyable touch of toasted oak.

The Price
Regallier is only at Rabbit Hole Distillery in 375ml bottles for $49.99.