All reviews are subjective, which inherently means they are biased. It’s definitely fair to say I’m biased toward Eagle Rare. In my early 20s, maybe on my first ever trip to a liquor store, I picked up a bottle of Eagle Rare off the middle of the shelf. This was back in probably 2010 when Eagle Rare was always available on the shelf in North Carolina and cost around $25 or $30 bucks. Now it’s closer to $45 and often hard to find, but I still always grab a bottle when I can. So, without further ado, here’s my quick, biased review of Eagle Rare 10 Year.
Vitals
Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Bottler: Buffalo Trace
Proof: 90 Proof
ABV: 45%
Age: 10 Years
Price: $$
NC Availability: Moderately Rare
NC Price: $43.95
Eagle Rare 10 Year Review
Served neat in a Glencairn.
Nose
Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon greets the senses with a rich and inviting aroma. The nose opens up to notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. These classic bourbon characteristics are accompanied by hints of ripe orchard fruits, such as apples and pears, adding a pleasant sweetness to the bouquet. Undertones of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of leather further enhance the complexity, making the aroma both enticing and well-balanced.
Palate
Upon the first sip, Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon delivers a luscious and smooth mouthfeel. The initial taste is dominated by flavors of caramel and toffee, offering a delightful sweetness that is wonderfully complemented by vanilla and honey. The bourbon’s extended aging period of 10 years imparts a deep and robust character, showcasing layers of oak and subtle spice. Rich dark chocolate notes emerge, mingling with hints of dried fruits and a gentle nuttiness, providing depth and complexity to the palate.
Finish
The finish of Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon is long-lasting and satisfying. As the flavors linger, the oak influence becomes more pronounced, revealing a delightful combination of toasted wood, charred barrel, and a touch of black pepper. The sweetness from the initial taste gradually evolves into a pleasantly dry finish, leaving a lasting impression of caramel and a gentle warmth. The balance between the sweet and savory notes is well-maintained throughout the entire tasting experience.
Overall Eagle Rare Review
Despite my aforementioned bias, Eagle Rare is often named among the best-bang-for-your-buck bourbons. It takes everything people love about the affordable Buffalo Trace Bourbon and slaps a 10 year age statement on it. The years in the barrel come through with a smooth, oaky character that makes it patable for even the most picky sippers. I might go so far as to say this is the most bourbon bourbon on the shelf, a great introduction or fallback when you just want good bourbon.
Eagle Rare Rating
8/10 – Excellent. Really quite exceptional.
I grade on the t8ke scale, 1-10.
A Quick Eagle Rare FAQ:
How long is Eagle Rare aged for?
According to the Buffalo Trace Distillery website (and the bottle), Eagle Rare is aged “a minimum of 10 years”. I doubt we’re getting any barrels that are pushing 12, but somewhere in that 10-11 year mark is most likely.
Is Eagle Rare a Single Barrel Bourbon?
Yes and no. Eagle Rare used to be a true Single Barrel bourbon, but, legally, it no longer is. Eagle Rare is still bottled one barrel at a time, not batched together, but now it’s done on a line. This line method means that some bottles, occasionally, will have the last whiskey from one barrel and the first whiskey from the next. So, odds are high that your bottle is a single barrel, but because it isn’t 100% guaranteed, Buffalo Trace Distillery cannot market it as such.
Does Eagle Rare Offer Single Barrel Picks?
Yes, Buffalo Trace Distillery includes Eagle Rare in their single barrel select program. It’s not the most common bottle to get a single barrel select of, but it’s always great when you do.
