Eagle Rare 10 year old Bourbon Whiskey

In 2017, as I ventured into the world of bourbons, I was eager to kick off the year with a bang, following the delicious memories of Makers Mark from the previous year. The Makers Mark release quickly became one of my all-time favourites. Could I find some bourbon this year to beat my expectations? Enter Eagle Rare 10 year old Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey.

2016 was a year of bourbon exploration, but I was somewhat underwhelmed. Few of the bourbons I sampled managed to truly impress my palate. I have a sweet tooth, and I’m drawn to those delectable toasted oak and vanilla notes that bourbon offers.

The variety of bourbons available in South Africa is relatively small, and it often feels like the selection is shrinking. Sure, you can hunt down some high-priced bottles online, but they aren’t always accessible to the everyday bourbon enthusiast.

Then I found the Eagle Rare 10 year old Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey. This release hails from the respected Buffalo Trace distillery. While it used to proudly bear the “10-year-old Single Barrel” label, the newer bottles have omitted this detail due to a transition from hand filling to machine filling.

This transition introduced the possibility of some bottles containing whiskey from more than one barrel, prompting the removal of the “Single Barrel” designation.

So, what’s the deal with Eagle Rare 10 year old? It’s aged for a decade in charred new oak barrels and bottled at a respectable 45% ABV.

This bourbon has garnered many accolades at renowned spirits competitions like the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the World Whiskies Awards. My bottle still features the 10 year old and Single Barrel labels, evoking a sense of tradition.

Notably, the Scotch Noob points out in his review that the mash bill of Eagle Rare 10 is quite similar to Buffalo Trace. It’s like an older, more discerning sibling of Buffalo Trace, thanks to meticulous barrel selection.

Also Read: Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon

Eagle Rare 10 year old Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV:45%

COLOUR: Polished amber

NOSE: The nose enchants with vanilla, toffee sweetness, hints of brandy pudding, freshly cut flowers, and subtle notes of toasted oak and pepper.

PALATE: While the nose promises vanilla and oaky sweetness, the palate surprises with a malty spiciness. Think chilli peppers, nuttiness, creamy cocoa, and traces of toasted oak and mint leaves. A few drops of water work wonders, mellowing the pepper and revealing more cinnamon. This isn’t an overly sweet bourbon. However, it has a good balance and is complex enough to be thoroughly enjoyable.

FINISH: The finish is medium length, culminating in peppery and oaky notes.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Eagle Rare is indeed an intriguing bourbon whiskey; not as sweet as I anticipated, but it compensates with a satisfying hint of chili heat. The rest of the bourbon experience remains intact—vanilla and toasted oak enveloped in a rich, creamy body.

As a curious experiment, I paired this bourbon with some KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) to see how it would complement the flavours. You can follow the link if you’re interested in discovering which bourbon works best with your fried chicken fix.

This release is the perfect companion to a creamy Gouda cheese.  It is gentle enough to not overwhelm the buttery cheese while spicy enough to create interest.

Also Read: Buffalo Trace vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon