Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare Single Barrel Select
45% ABV - Kentucky, USA
Nose: Caramels, wood... a pleasingly standard bourbon-style. Light fruits, light spices, and almonds. Lovely cherry cola notes.
Taste: Wow. It’s a juicy, fruit bourbon. This is right up my alley. Cherry cola, caramelized orange, vanilla, and a nice touch of wood that leads into the finish. Interesting slight soapyness to it.
Finish: Slightly drying with some oak tannins, but an overall sweetness is paired with it and lasts quite a while. Not very much spices at the end and it’s quite simple or one-dimensional.
I consider Eagle Rare to be among my "Top 5 Bourbons". I think it absolutely has the cost/taste ratio in the correct proportion. It’s crazy to see how popular this bottle is in Eastern Canada and across various States… the standard version is always available in my local area. I did pay a little bit of a premium to get this Single Barrel Select—about 25% more compared to the standard release—at a total cost of ~$85 CAD out-the-door. It seriously reminds me of Stagg Jr—my favourite bourbon—perhaps we can call this one Stagg Jr Jr?
Eagle Rare is an excellent bourbon for cocktails, but I find this Single Barrel Select to be particularly enjoyable neat… that said, I think that a cube or two of ice might do it well. An experiment for another evening.
Details: Hand Selected for BC Liquor Stores. Warehouse 5; 5th Floor; Barrel #082. Fill Date: May 19, 2009; Selection Date: April 9, 2020.
Tasting Notes (Official): A complex whiskey with aromas of crème brûlée, toasted oak, candied orange peel and just a hint of cardamom. Big, rich flavours of vanilla, dark mocha and candied pecans are on display with underlying dryness from the oak, giving the whiskey layers and texture. The finish lingers with wisps of the oak and creamy vanilla.
Tasted 02 December 2021. (Posted 10 November 2022.)
