Tasting notes·Buffalo Trace

Eagle Rare 10 Years

Buffalo Trace is undoubtedly one of the most respected distilleries in Kentucky, perhaps even in the entire USA. They present different variations of their Kentucky Straight Bourbon under various brand names. Today we're looking at Eagle Rare's 10-years whiskey, which is based on their secret "Mash Bill #1", which is thought to contain less than 10% rye.

The panel

Marcel
79
Sascha
81

Mean 80.0 · spread 2

Value for money 5/5

Distillery
Buffalo Trace
Type
Straight Bourbon
Country
USA
Age
10 years
Strength
45% ABV
Character
mellow

Tasting

Nose

The aroma begins with an intense sweet-fruity flavour. Vanilla, caramel and an extremely pleasant orange note unfold first. This is followed by spicier nuances: oak, dark chocolate and a herbaceous, spicy freshness reminiscent of mint. The scent evokes associations with a wonderfully empty warehouse full of old whiskey barrels.

Palate

The wonderful oiliness impresses on the tongue, and the flavour fulfils the promises of the nose. Sweet nuances of honey, buttered popcorn and milk chocolate unfold, while spicier flavours such as oak, bitter orange and an exotic coconut note send the palate on a journey. A slight tingle and a pinch of cinnamon round off the flavour experience.

Finish

The finish completes the Eagle Rare experience in an equally impressive way. Tart, spicy oak notes dominate here, comparable to a delicious rye bread with butter. The sweetness resonates subtly and is primarily reminiscent of caramel. The whiskey is soft and warming on the palate.

Verdicts

Marcel

Eagle Rare 10 Year is a true delight, bursting with character and a surprising oiliness that enlivens the drinking experience. For anyone seeking a sweet and spicy bourbon with some edge and complexity, this whiskey is a fantastic companion – and all at a very fair price. Here, drinking pleasure meets quality you can taste!

Sascha

With a balanced interplay of sweet and bitter notes and a complex aromatic profile, Eagle Rare 10 Year impresses as a technically very clean Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The distinct barrel influence and harmonious viscosity create a structured mouthfeel that appeals to both newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs alike.

What it is worth

We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Buffalo Trace as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.

£1£10£100£1k£10k20062012201420162018202020222024

Latest mean bid £242 across 153 lots · 2024-08

Source

Tasting note and scores by WHISKY:EDITION — tasted by Marcel and Sascha, published 2023-12-17.