Introduction
Eagle Rare 10 Year holds a special place in the history of our whiskey journey. This bourbon, distilled by Buffalo Trace, carries a 90-proof rating and was once labeled as a single barrel. While the single-barrel designation has been removed from the bottle, it's said that the production method remains the same, leading to slight variations between bottles.
For both of us, Eagle Rare marked one of the earliest moments when we started to appreciate bourbon’s depth. We even split the cost of a bottle back in the day while living in Kentucky. Revisiting it now feels like coming home. Let’s dive into our review of this whiskey and see how it measures up after years of whiskey exploration.
This review is taken from our episode "Citizen Kane / Eagle Rare" Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: “This is a subtle nose. It’s not super upfront and in your face, but it’s nice and sweet. It’s got a little bit of citrus in there—maybe not orange, but a bit of freshness—alongside some classic vanilla bourbon notes.”
Bob: “I’ve tried this out of three different glasses now. Initially, I was underwhelmed. But in a rocks glass, I’m picking up your basic bourbon notes: caramel, black pepper, oak, and ethanol. There’s also a fruity note that reads more as green apple than citrus. It’s not a nose that’ll knock you out, but it does suggest a bit of punch with the spice and ethanol presence.”
Scores:
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Brad: 7.5/10
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Bob: 6.5/10
Taste
Brad: “Oh, Bob, I love this whiskey. It starts with a little bit of oakiness up front and isn’t overly sweet. There’s vanilla and brown sugar that match the oak nicely. Towards the finish, some citrus comes back, which ties in nicely with the nose. It’s a pleasant, solid palate.” (7.5/10)
Bob: “I’m surprised at how different this tastes across glasses. Out of a rocks glass, I’m getting a slight sour note up front. There’s some citrus—like lemon or grapefruit—and a bit of salted caramel. It checks a lot of boxes but doesn’t lean strongly in any direction, making it hard to call it exceptional. For me, it’s a 6/10.”
Finish
Brad: “The finish is where this whiskey struggles a bit. There’s some oak and citrus, but it doesn’t last long. It’s decent but not outstanding. I’ll give it a 6.5/10.”
Bob: “I agree that it’s an oak-heavy finish with minimal ‘Kentucky hug.’ However, I like how it drinks above its proof, delivering more intensity than expected for 90 proof. It’s a shorter finish, but I still enjoy it. 6.5/10.”
Balance
Brad: “This is an extremely well-balanced whiskey. No flavor overwhelms the others, and everything works harmoniously. It’s solid all around. 8/10.”
Bob: “I’m leaning the other way. It’s balanced, but there’s nothing exceptional about it. While it punches slightly above its proof, I think the balance stems more from a lack of standout elements. 6.5/10.”
Value
Brad: “For $31.99 in Ohio, Eagle Rare is a fantastic value. It’s unique, approachable, and offers a lot for the price. Plus, it’s a great introductory bourbon for newcomers. 8/10.”
Bob: “I’ll echo that. While it can be hard to find, Eagle Rare punches above its price point with its aged flavors and oak presence. It’s not my favorite bourbon at $32, but it’s undeniably a strong value. 8/10.”
Final Scores
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Brad: 37.5/50
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Bob: 33.5/50
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Average: 35.5/50
Conclusion
At 35.5/50, Eagle Rare sits at a point where we’d recommend trying it at a bar or picking up a bottle if you find it. It’s solid, sentimental, and balanced. For us, it’s a whiskey that recalls great memories, even if it’s no longer the pinnacle of our collection. A score of 40/50 would mark a great bourbon, and 45/50 is where excellence resides, but Eagle Rare remains a respectable option worth revisiting.
