Eagle Rare is a historic bourbon brand, originally developed by Seagram in 1975 in an effort to capitalize on what it felt were the popular marketing motifs used by Wild Turkey. Distilled at their Four Roses distillery, the recipe was devised by Charles L. Beam and was sold as a 10 year old with both a 90 and 101-proof version available. Seagram held ambitions beyond the drinks industry, however. In an effort to diversify their portfolio in the 1980s, they sold Eagle Rare along with the Benchmark brand to the Sazerac Company. They initially bottled it using barrels sourced from Heaven Hill, but later moved production to Buffalo Trace in 1992.
The Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon was introduced in 2000, using bourbon distilled at George T. Stagg in the early 1980s. It has been released annually as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, a selection of whiskies collated and in some cases created to pay homage to the history of the company and its brands.
This rare bourbon ages in oak barrels for nearly two decades and is only available in small quantities once a year, every fall. Sip this polished, well-aged whiskey to appreciate why patience is such a virtue.
The fragrant aroma has almost a wine-like character with hints of almond, cigar boxes and cinnamon. The delicate and dry mid-palate tastes of leather, vanilla and tobacco. This bourbon lingers, finishing with hint of leather and toffee.
The 2022 release of Eagle Rare 17 Year Old is bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV). This bourbon was distilled in the spring of 2005 and aged in Warehouses H, K, and L. It’s described as having aromas of “tobacco, chocolate covered cherries, and a touch of oak,” with “caramel, vanilla bean, dark chocolate, and oak” on the palate, and “a full-bodied finish with baking spice, vanilla and butterscotch.”
Region: Kentucky United States
Bottle Size: 750mL
ABV: 50.5%
