Eagle Rare 17 Year | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Proof: 101
Mash bill: Undisclosed
Age: 18 years and 3 months
MSRP: $99
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Fool Proof Rating and Summary of Tasting Notes
Color | Nose | Palate | Finish | Feel |
Deep Amber | Rich vanilla, brown sugar, rich oak and a hint of black cherries and orange peel | Caramel, rich oak, cherry pie, rye spice, hint of coffee | Long, lingering, peppery and oaky finish | Full bodied and oily. Great mouth coating |
Use my exclusive Caskers.com discount code: WHISKEYFOOL10 to receive $10 off qualifying* orders. Copy and paste to use at checkout.
*$100 or more
For all my tastings I use either the Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass or a traditional Glencairn glass. They both are great for nosing and help in discerning more subtle notes.
Eagle Rare 17, is another fantastic bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Crafted with a unique blend of Kentucky corn, Minnesota rye, and North Dakota malted barley that's aged in white oak barrels for 17 years or more in #4 char white oak casks stored in Warehouse P - trust me when I say you won't find another whiskey like it!
Plus this rare bourbon was bottled at 101 proof to honor the original brand launched by Buffalo Trace back in 1974. Sadly you will never see this for the MSRP of $99. I have only come across it in the wild once and opted for a bottle of William Larue Weller instead. I tried this one at a restaurant while on vacation in Florida and I am glad I did!
Nose
This Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey; has a nose that is truly remarkable. It starts with rich vanilla and brown sugar, with an underlying hint of black cherries, along with a unique complexity from its oak maturation. The nose of this bourbon is initially sweet, with subtle hints of caramelized sugar and toasted oak.
As it continues to open up, you will find hints of dark berries and dried fruit, in addition to warm baking spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove. As you further investigate the aroma, there are also faint notes of leather, tobacco, and burnt marshmallows. The nose on this thing is just fantastic!
Palate
Eagle Rare, is a well aged whiskey and has an incredibly complex flavor that makes it an enjoyable spirit to savor. Upon tasting, the first thing I noticed was a pleasant caramel sweetness that had a subtle hint of rye spice. It quickly faded into notes of oak and cherry pie, with just a light presence of coffee in the background. As the flavors linger on my tongue, they combine and become even more balanced and intense.
There's something special about this rare bourbon; it stands out from others due to its richness and complexity. The aromas are powerful yet delicate, inviting my senses to explore each flavor individually as well as how everything works together. This is quite simply one of the finest bourbons I've tasted, and I can't help but marvel at how many layers there are to this amazing spirit. It's good!
Finish
Eagle Rare 17 is unbelievably enjoyable! Its flavor is rich, deep, and full of complexity. As the bourbon passes through your mouth, its long and peppery finish coats your tongue with a warm oaky sensation. A subtle hint of caramelized sugar adds a delightful sweetness to the mix, while hints of spice and woodiness develop in the aftertaste. This bourbon lingers.
With every sip I'm left wanting more; it's really that good! It lingers for what feels like an eternity. Eagle Rare 17 is perfectly balanced; not too sweet or overpowering as some bourbons can be. To me, it's near perfection - a truly luxurious experience that shouldn't be passed up.
Feel
Eagle Rare has an outstanding mouth feel. The full-bodied and oily consistency coats the surface of the tongue, allowing for a smooth texture that is incredibly satisfying. Again this bourbon lingers.
Final Thoughts
Eagle Rare 17 year Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, is a truly unique and luxurious experience that can be savored with every sip. This well aged whiskey has a complex flavor profile with caramel sweetness, oaky notes, dark berries, dried fruit, and baking spices are perfectly balanced to create an unforgettable taste sensation. At the end, there is long-lasting and peppery while the mouthfeel offers a smooth texture with hints of leather and toffee.
If you're looking for something special in your next glass of bourbon, look no further than Eagle Rare 17 year! You likely will never see this in the wild and certainly won't find it at MSRP. If you have some money to blow you can click the button below.
Use my exclusive Caskers.com discount code: WHISKEYFOOL10 to receive $10 off qualifying* orders. Copy and paste to use at checkout.
*$100 or more
I would love to hear from you! Drop me a comment below and let me know what you think of this whiskey.
Below are my favorite glasses for doing tastings. The Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass is my favorite because it has a little more heft to it and feels better in my hand than the traditional Glencairn glass does.