Eagle Rare 10 years old: a memorable Bourbon
My whisky hobby was still quite in its infancy when I visited New York City in December 2008. I already figured out where to get whisk€y and therefor I found myself in the Park Avenue Liquor Store on Madison Avenue. It was a wonder to walk around in a store different from what you were used to in European stores. Selection, obviously, was quite different and on the other hand, there were also recognisable brands. I purchased a Springbank bottled by Hart Brothers exclusively by the store, but sadly I decided to sell it to a Springbank collector later-on. Now I wish I had opened it myself and shared It among friends. Anyway, what also landed in the bag was a Hudson Four Grain Bourbon, very unique by that time because it brought distilling back to New York. And then there was the bottle we will taste today. Somehow I remember that this bottle was harder to come by in Europe back then, even though nowadays I see it more regularly available. Now, that bottle I emptied, with good memories. Let’s get reacquainted via this sample.
Eagle Rare 10 years old, bottled at 45 % abv
First things first: Made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, this Eagle Rare matured for 10 years in charred American white oak barrels. I got a sample from an older bottle from around 2011, but I believe the recipe is more or less the same nowadays.
Upon Sipping: A considerably rich nose with strong hints of wood and vanilla, but also whiffs of pickles. That sounds weird, but somehow this note seems to come from the wood. It develops towards a hint of glue. Pretty straightforward bourbon here, but with extra elements that are predominantly displayed on the tongue. There, we find an ultra-soft sensation. I am surprised how silky this bourbon is! It is very lovely and also not that wood driven. It does display beautiful spices and, eventually, still a bitter note. Lots of development in the glass. In the end, there always remains this hint of pickle water, but it does not bother me. I am having great fun with this Eagle Rare.
Word to the Wise: Good stuff, I like how accessible this is. Maybe a bit entry level, but I prefer it to Jim Beam or Woodford’s Reserve, to name a few. This is well rounded and very pleasing.
Score: 84 points
Geef een reactie