Eagle Rare 10 Year is a Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace, aged at least a decade and bottled at 90 proof. It has long been one of the steadiest aged bourbons to come out of Frankfort, with a dry, oaky style that suits slow sipping.
About This Bourbon
The whiskey uses Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #1, a low-rye recipe of corn, rye and malted barley, and spends no less than ten years in new charred oak. In 2005 the strength came down from 101 to 90 proof. Barrels are still dumped and bottled one at a time, though the single barrel wording has since come off the label because bottling now runs on an automated line. The ten-year age statement remains on the bottle.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Toffee and honey, orange zest, dried herbs and a little saddle leather.
- Palate: Dry and fairly delicate, with candied almonds, dark cocoa and polished oak.
- Finish: Dry and persistent, with orange peel and gentle spice at the tail.
Serving & Food
Enjoy it neat at room temperature from a rocks glass; at 45% it needs no water. On a humid Hong Kong evening a highball with soda and lemon peel works well too. Try it with honey-glazed ham, roast chestnuts or almond biscotti.
How to Enjoy
A dependable house bourbon for the home bar, and a sensible gift for someone starting to explore aged American whiskey.
Product Details
Producer / Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Expression: Eagle Rare 10 Year
Category: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
Age: 10 years old
ABV / Strength: 90 proof / 45% ABV
Bottle size / Format: 750mL
Mash bill: Mash Bill #1
Brand created: 1975, by Charles L. Beam
About the Distillery
Eagle Rare began in 1975, when Charles L. Beam, a grandnephew of Jim Beam and then master distiller at Seagram's Four Roses, created it as a 101 proof, ten-year-old luxury bourbon. The Sazerac Company bought the brand from Seagram in 1989, and production eventually settled at Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Sazerac's home distillery. Today the family runs from the 10 Year, the 17 Year released each autumn in the Antique Collection, and the 20-year-old Double Eagle Very Rare.