Eagle Rare 17 Year Bourbon (Fall 2020)

I'm relying on memory for this review, having only done this once before. The reason is simple...this whisky commands extraordinarily high prices, and I believe reviews from those not swayed by the hype have value. Aroma - My memory here might be a bit fuzzy. It was a wonderful bourbon, honestly about as good as one would anticipate. That signature smooth and gentle oak from Buffalo Trace, with delightful vanilla and caramel, plus some light cherry notes. The oak was beautifully integrated. It wasn't profound or rich, but as good an aroma as one would expect from a 101 proof spirit. Taste - My first sip was superb. It presented a perfect balance of sweetness, aged character, leather, and varnish, along with lovely aged vanilla and a harmonious blend of oak and sweetness. Unfortunately, two significant issues arose. Firstly, the finish became progressively more bitter and oaky. While acceptable on the initial sip, a problem was already apparent. Secondly, upon taking another sip, I was surprised to find that each subsequent taste of the 1 oz sample grew more oaky and bitter, while the sweet notes diminished. I've rarely encountered a bourbon behaving this way; some, like an EC 18, do the opposite. The outcome was an excessively oaked and tannic pour after only a few sips. It wasn't terrible even at its worst, but this transitioned from a pleasant, though not astonishing, bourbon to a peculiar and then somewhat disappointing experience. Overall - I appreciate this bourbon and would gladly purchase one for around $100, continuing to buy it at that price. I'd consider one at $200 and might even get one at $300. However, I would never buy another at $200 or $300. I have a fondness for well-aged bourbon; it's a personal preference, and I often acquire whiskies that don't compare favorably to similarly priced Scotches, but I simply enjoy aged bourbon, and I recognize the cost-to-enjoyment ratio is often skewed. That said, this bottling has significant flaws. The 101 proof seems insufficient, or perhaps excessive filtering was employed, leaving it lacking. I'm rating this a 2.75. Here's the situation: the initial sip was a 3.5, perhaps a 4.0. But with each subsequent sip, the oak became more pronounced. While I generally appreciate that, it dominated the finish and overpowered other elements. Furthermore, the mouthfeel was somewhat thin, even at 101 proof, as if it underwent excessive filtering. On a 100-point scale, this would be an 82-85 range, leaning towards an 84 because it achieves certain difficult aspects. Subjectively, I might rate it an 82, as despite the exceptional first sip, the more you experience it, the less appealing it becomes. It's quite good and significantly above average, which I score at 2.0, not 3.0 as many here do. However, it's truly nothing special, despite being a rather remarkable item in that 17-year-old (actually 18 if you look closely) Buffalo Trace is uncommon. At retail, I believe you should buy this bottle, but even a slight increase on secondary market prices makes it a pass. At true secondary market prices, it's ludicrous. In ten years, this won't be a bourbon people seek out, unless for collection purposes. No one drinking it will pursue this at secondary prices; it's simply not good enough.

Neat. Bar pour. Initially, the oak on the nose was prominent yet welcoming, softening slightly after a few minutes. A rich vanilla sweet cream syrup emerges beneath, along with some dark cherries. A hint of white pepper. Butterscotch and light peanut, evoking a chocolate turtle somewhat. For the most part, the oak and vanilla syrup dominate. The taste has a light yet oily mouthfeel. It's almost imperceptible on the tongue until moved around, with the oils swirling. Initial flavors on the front of the palate are unusual and surprising. Upfront, it almost has a mouthwash quality, as if the flavor is so bright it overwhelms itself. It's again very sweet with that vanilla syrup. The oak and cherry come through strongly in the mid-palate. The finish is all barrel and pepper, very drying and long. Barrel and tobacco. That mouthwash sensation reappears. I'll need to rinse and reset before trying again. Rinsing and resetting eliminated the mouthwash sensation. An orange note begins to emerge. Overall, I'm unsure why people invest so much in this, perhaps just to complete a collection. I typically open everything I acquire, but I wouldn't open this if I received it. Fortunate to experience it in this setting!

An inviting nose. Vanilla and oak are present initially, but allowing it to rest in the glass for a significant time lets the fruit notes develop. On the palate, there's less honey compared to last year's release. Caramelized sugar and a pleasant warming spice give way to the dark fruits characteristic of Buffalo Trace. These then transition to the expected oak and leather finish of an 18-year bourbon. I believe this line has greatly benefited from the proof increase to 101 a few years ago. It's not as intense as some of its BTAC counterparts, but the additional 11 points truly add character. If you've experienced the difference between Blanton's Gold and regular Blanton's, you understand.

Nose: Overpowering cherry. Subtle oak. Faint scent of dough rising. Taste: Incredible! A real treat! No harshness at all. Tastes like cherry pie filling or cherry syrup. Sopapillas (dough and sweet spices). Palate: I dislike using the word "smooth" for whiskey... but "smooth" accurately describes the experience. Not overly complicated, but very sweet, and syrupy smooth. It's easy to savor this for extended periods. I was kindly given a 2oz sample by a member of a local whiskey group, my thanks to them.

Nose: Very strong cherry aroma. Deeper inhales reveal hints of bread dough, vanilla, and toasted oak – reminiscent of a cherry pie before baking. Palate: Also very cherry-forward. The dough and vanilla notes are present in their baked form this time, like a cherry pie with a crisp, toasted crust. Finish: Oak spice stands out, offering a nice contrast to the sweet nose and palate. The finish is medium-short, but still enjoyable. Thank you to a friend for letting me try this!

nose- Smooth and creamy vanilla, with less barrel influence than anticipated given its age. Taste- An easy opening with robust caramel and candy-like vanilla, sugary sweetness, which quickly transitions to notes of leather and something akin to tobacco. Light hints of char and smoke fragments. It's exceptionally rich, and you gain a lot by really working it in your mouth. Finish- Lasted indefinitely. It builds and remains sweet, with abundant leathery tobacco-like notes; rich and potent. A superb pour.