Eagle Rare 17, Summer 2017, 40% abv.

During Seagram's ownership of Four Roses, Master Distiller Charles L. Beam, aka Chuck, developed and released the multiple barrel, 101 proof, Eagle Rare brand in 1975. In 1989, Sazerac Company bought the ER brand (along with McAfee's Old Benchmark No. 8). Sazerac would later change the recipe to single barrel and reduce it to 90 proof. Over the years, several versions have been released of varying ages and proofs. In 2000, a 17 year version was added to the acclaimed Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Nowadays, it is considered one of the more expensive bottles in BTAC primarily because of low production.

Nose: strong vanilla, strong honey, caramelized food.

Palate: smooth, initial palate is calm, slightly woody, shrubbery, mid palate is a little vegetative, back palate is leafy, like literally crunching onto some vegetable leaves.

Finish: medium, like how your mouth feels after eating spinach without the iron element.

Wow, what a nose, it was pretty good vanilla and honey, simimlar to Ichiro's Malt Card Series older cards. After that it's a little weird, like eating a leafy green vegetable platter! Unfortunately the whole tasting profile degrades from there. Its not bad though, presents something very different from traditional bourbons and so much better than their traditional 10. But honestly, after your second sip, it's like drinking weak unsweetened bourbon with a light toast finish.

Grade: B-

Whiskyanalysis.com, 8.85 ± 0.30 on 15 reviews, unknown vintage
Whisky advocate, Fred Minnick, 89 points
Breakingbourbon, Nick, Eric, and Jordan, 3.5/5 barrels

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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