Eagle Rare

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Age: 10 Years

Proof: 90

Verdict: The “rare” part is right, but it’s yummy.

Score: 7.55

It’s another Buffalo Trace product to go rabid over! They can all be pretty hyped but I’ll admit I’m a fan of most of em. Eagle Rare is another one of BT’s allocations and it can be difficult to find on shelves, at least a reasonable price.  This one is a household name in the bourbon world.

Eagle Rare has the taste of a classic bourbon.  Sweetness, honey, grape flavoring, sugar, caramel, and some vanilla are what jump out.  You get some oak from this 10-year-old (mostly single-barrel) bourbon but it’s not overwhelming.  It’s oakier in the sniff than the sip. Overall, the juice isn’t the most complex on the nose or palate, but delicious nonetheless.  You don’t get much spice, as the rye content is low.  

In short, ER has a refreshing simplicity.  The finish is medium to long with some of that lingering sweetness.  This bottle is reliable and, at least in my opinion, lives up to the hype. It’s a great beginner bourbon, though some enthusiasts may complain about the lower proof point.

As noted earlier, it can be hard to track down. MSRP hovers just under $40 as of writing, and is definitely worth grabbing if you see it around that price.  Spending a little more to have this staple stocked on your bar wouldn’t be the worst thing, either.  Here’s the cheapest shipper I could track down:

It’s added to THE LIST.

Grizz