“Rare” is certainly the key word when it comes to Eagle Rare. Introduced all the way back in 1975, this Buffalo Trace expression hasn’t always been hard to find. But with the growing demand for bourbon and a ten-year age statement limiting supply, you’ll just about need a treasure map to find a bottle of Eagle Rare now.
Eagle Rare isn’t the first Buffalo Trace product to go the inaccessible route. These days, the search for Blanton’s, E.H. Taylor, Elmer T. Lee, and of course Pappy Van Winkle all feel like a quest for El Dorado or Atlantis. The rarity of Buffalo Trace’s products tends to surge the price, so by the time you do get your hands on a bottle you start to wonder – “Is it going to be worth it?” Depending on the bottle and depending on the price, the bourbon community tends to be divided on which products are worth the hype. In the case of Eagle Rare, the answer is yes it is…and no it isn’t.
There’s no doubt that this is a smooth and enjoyably complex bourbon. The first smell and sip bring out leather, oak, tobacco and a bit of citrus. The rest of the taste includes a rounded sweetness of honey, vanilla, toffee, and nuts almost creating a praline flavor. All combined together with a perfectly suited 90 proof, Eagle Rare is a really, really, really delicious bourbon.
So is it really worth the hype and the cost? In our opinion, it’s certainly worth the hype, but not necessarily the cost. In our area, Eagle Rare is often listed for $33 even though it’s never in stock. If Eagle Rare could be found and could be found for $35- $50, it would be a regular staple on our shelf. For now though, we’ll stick to more attainable goals like winning the lottery or going to Mars.
STATS: Eagle Rare Bourbon
- Price for us: $70 for 750 mL
- Proof: 90
- Aged: 10 Years
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace
- Recommendation: Neat
