Individual Review: Eagle Rare 10 Year

Opening Statement (Description of the Whiskey):

Eagle Rare is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Up until a few years ago, it was also bottled exclusively as a Single Barrel expression, however that hat is no longer the case. Eagle Rare is also now an Allocated Whiskey due to the demand having risen within the past few years. The distillery, Buffalo Trace Distillery, states that each bottle contains at least 10 year old whiskey.

Parent Company: Sazerac Company

Distillery & Bottling Company: Buffalo Trace

Mash Bill: Unknown (Buffalo Trace says it uses their Mash Bill #1, but does not disclose what grains or proportions of those grains are in it)

Age: 10 Years or More

Proof: 90

Direct Examination (AKA Tasting Notes):

Nose: Apples, Pears, Vanilla Cake, and Hints of Sweet Corn

Palate: Vanilla Ice Cream, Cinnamon Apples, and Brown Sugar

Finish: Short to Medium Lingering, Dry Wood, Brown Sugar, Wisps of Cinnamon and Pepper

Mouth Feel: Thin to Medium

Cross Examination (AKA The Whiskey's Shortcomings):

What It's Missing: I wanted the fruity notes on the nose to be a little more prominent on the palate. The finish is missing the fruit notes altogether. Also the finish could be a little less dry and last a little longer.

Closing Statements (AKA Conclusions about the Whiskey):

The fruity scents are the first thing to jump out and greet the nose. Apple and pear notes are the stars of the show . Soft vanilla presents itself behind the fruit followed by the iconic sweet corn note of a traditional bourbon. The nose is very inviting and creates an exciting anticipation for the sip.

The vanilla is the first flavor encountered on the palate. The apple note shows up again as well, albeit much fainter than on the nose. The palate closes out with a pleasant Brown Sugar note that is reminiscent of a pie crust.

Dry wood prominently appears first on the finish. The brown sugar from the palate caries over as does the cinnamon. It closes out the experience with a very light pop of pepper. There is no uniqueness on the finish, but there is nothing unpleasant about it either.

The experience with this bourbon can easily be summarized with a classic American desert: apple pie with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top. While the whiskey has the flavors of apple pie and ice cream, it is not heavy. The bourbon is much lighter than the dish it brings to mind. I do wish it was a little more fruit forward on the palate and have at least a hint of fruit on the finish as well. The finish's length leaves a little something to be desired as well, as it disappears a hair too quickly. The whiskey also feels a tad thin, but despite its shortcomings, this bourbon constantly invites you back again and gain to explore the flavors.

This is such a fun bourbon to drink that isn't too complex. It is great a whiskey to introduce people to bourbon with. Eagle Rare used to be bottled as a Single Barrel, but that is no longer the case. Nonetheless, this is still a high quality whiskey at a somewhat reasonable price. The MSRP for this whiskey is about $29, but it is not common to find it for that price anymore since it became an Allocated Whiskey. It can realistically be found for $40-$50 today's current markets. This is a bourbon that I always enjoy drinking, no matter the occasion.

Verdict (AKA Score): 8

Verdict Key:

10: I do not possess the vocabulary to describe this masterpiece adequately or accurately. It should not be possible for man to create such art.

9: Incredible. Hoard this stuff. Paying secondary market prices is totally worth it.

8: A real pleasure to sip. Always try to have at least one bottle and a backup on hand.

7: A solid pour. Daily drinker for sure. Try to have a bottle on hand.

6: Would not say no to a pour if offered to me, but I will not go out of my way to find it.

5: Good to mix with a coke.

4: Swing and a miss. A mixer makes it tolerable.

3: Only if I had nothing else to drink in the house.

2: Was this made in a prison toilet?

1: This is the stuff the KGB used to kill prisoners slowly and painfully.

0: An abomination of epic proportions. Should not be called whiskey.