Introduction
Today, we’re tasting the highly coveted Eagle Rare 17-Year from the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Both of us have a long-standing relationship with Eagle Rare, dating back to when we first started drinking bourbon. It was one of the early bottles we fell in love with—back then, it was readily available for about $30. Now, we’re looking at its 17-Year expression, which this year comes in at 19 years and three months old.
We’ve tried various Eagle Rare expressions over the years, but this is something special. Aged and complex, it’s hard to come by, and it’s become one of those “pipe dream” bottles for bourbon lovers everywhere. Let’s dive into what makes this one of the most talked-about whiskeys in BTAC’s lineup.
This review was taken from our episode “Parasite / Eagle Rare 17.” Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: This nose is all about complexity. I get buttercream, brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, and even a hint of bubblegum. The maraschino cherry note came through after it sat for a bit. There’s oak and pepper to balance it out, too. It’s rich and deep, so I’m going with 9.5/10.
Bob: I agree with every one of your notes—this is what bourbon should smell like. That said, it’s hard to shake the awareness that this bottle costs $1,500. It’s great, but is it that great? I’m landing on 9/10 for the nose.
Taste
Brad: This is a blend of beautiful flavors: bubblegum, almond, fresh vanilla bean, oak, and caramel. I even got a caramel fudge combo that I loved. With the second and third sips, a sweet mint note came through, and I’m guessing there’s some rye in the mash bill. I’m almost at a perfect score here—9.5/10.
Bob: This whiskey’s a lot less sweet on the palate than the nose suggests. The oak really hits up front, and the sweetness follows after with a rich, vanilla buttercream finish. For me, this feels a little more reserved than the nose promised. I’m giving it 8/10.
Finish
Brad: On the finish, I’m getting fresh leather, cedar, cherries, black pepper, and vanilla. It’s smooth and lingering in the best way, and I’m really into it. Another 9/10 here.
Bob: I’d say the finish is the best part. The caramel and brown sugar roll back over the palate, with that classic pink bubblegum dustiness. I’ll give it 9/10 on the finish, too.
Balance
Brad: This is well-balanced, especially for a hyper-aged bourbon. It has depth without overwhelming oak. I’d love it to be a little higher in proof to bring out even more flavor, so I’m going with 9/10.
Bob: I think the balance here is strong, especially in how the finish rounds out the experience. The flavors tie together well, so I’m at 8.5/10.
Value
Bob: This bottle is retailing for $1,500 on the secondary market, making value a tough call. It’s a luxury product, but I wouldn’t shell out four figures for it. My baseline for these ultra-expensive bourbons is a 5/10.
Brad: I’d have to agree that it’s worth being in the luxury category, but it’s hard to justify at this price. I’ll give it 8.5/10 on value. Between this and George T. Stagg, I think this is a good investment if you’re going to spend big.
Final Scores
Bob: I’m at 39.5/50 on this one. It’s an excellent bourbon, but in the lineup of BTAC releases, it’s a little lower for me.
Brad: I’m higher with a 45.5/50. Eagle Rare 17 just has everything I want in a bourbon.
Combined, we’re at 42.5/50, which translates to an 85/100. It’s a highly recommended pour if you get the chance to try it. Eagle Rare continues to stand as one of our favorite names in bourbon, and this release proves why it’s one of the big players in the BTAC lineup.
