This is a review of my first bottle of Eagle Rare 10 Year, one of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s (BTD) and Sazerac’s most sought-after, actually attainable American whiskies. Made from an undisclosed mash bill rumored to be the BTD’s “Mash Bill #1” with an estimated less than 10% rye, it is aged in “Alligator charred” American White Oak barrels and bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV).
My review is based on multiple separate notes-taking sessions over just under 8 months using Glencairn and Denver & Liely Bourbon glasses with varying resting/aeration times in the glass.
COLOR: Amber
AROMA PROFILE: Deeply sweet nose (I like the aromas better than the taste) – aromas of toffee & caramel with vanilla, buttered corn, oak/barrel spice, honeycomb/dark honey, dark maple syrup, baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom), dark cherries, light smoke, & orange peel.
PALATE: The bottle started off overly oaky & tannic for me, so I opened the bottle without having a pour over a few weeks several times a week on someone’s advice to allow it to aerate, which helped balance the bourbon out.
There is sweetness, but it’s fleeting & the palate remains more oaky & oak tannin-forward than the nose suggests. Flavors include barrel char followed by orange peel, burnt caramel & brown sugar, black pepper & the baking spices from the nose, vanilla, dried cocoa, leather, dried toasted nuts, & a hint of dark cherries/cherry skins (less than on the nose).
FINISH: 5 seconds
MOUTHFEEL: Medium viscosity with tears & pearls in the glass; Medium viscous on the palate
VALUE: Good bourbon if you can find it for or near MSRP – Not worth over $50, for me.
ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? Yes, but primarily as a “bottle share” bottle for events. I rarely reach for this bottle when in the mood for bourbon, which says a lot.
I understand, though, that I’m likely in the minority & know lots of bourbon folks really like Eagle Rare 10 Year, which is why it’s an ideal bottle to bring to share with others.
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