ralfy review 662 - Eagle Rare 10yo Bourbon @ 45%vol
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2017
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6 months ago I wrote I just got my first bottle of this - now I'm drinking my third, with two more hidden in the cupboard. It's by far my favorite bourbon, and I've had a lot of greats. It might be my favorite whiskey. I can't believe it doesn't cost 300 bucks. What a bourbon.
4 years after this review I’m halfway through my first bottle. My journey has introduced me to many bourbons and scotch’s but I keep coming back to Eagle Rare. It is one of my most fav spirits.
It is now harder to find due to stingy allocation.
I will buy 3 or 4 next time I find it.
First time buying this, in 2021 for 40 bucks USD. What an incredible bargain. What a dram. What a bottle. What a whiskey.
Right there with you... found a bottle yesterday while I was on route at one of my stops for $35! Damn good too!! 🥃👍🙂
I have to once again recommend Colonel E. H. Taylor. 50%, bottled in bond, Buffalo Trace distillery brand. It's fantastic.
Wish I could find it for a reasonable price. Its mostly completely sold out here in so cal.
Ethan Fiset
Agreed! If you think eagle rare is good... wait till you try Taylor!
@@jonzylka9474 Of course it's good, but it's three times the price of Eagle Rare in the UK!
Whole heartedly agree! I was blown away as to the breath and width of the flavor and experience in the difference from BT, to ER, to E.H. Taylor.
Best of luck getting a bottle now lol
When I first purchased this bottle a few months ago, I DRAINED it. Went out and bought two more just in case people discovered its exceptional quality. This is a beautiful whiskey.
This is such a beautiful bourbon that should be at the home bar of any whiskey enthusiast. Happy to see that a man who usually goes for a single malt really enjoyed this 10 year juice
I've had more than one bottle of Eagle rare and from this experience id say pour it into your favorite glass then let it sit for 30 min, it softens out lovely and brings out the best this Bourbon has to offer.
Delightful.
Been searching about 2 months and just stumbled across a bottle today 😍 and so well priced! $32 in Ohio, cheers! 🥃
This from Buffalo Trace regarding ER10 Single Barrel
Buffalo Trace stated that because of the move from a hand-bottling line to a high speed automated line, they can no longer use the single barrel statement. This is due to the fact that a bottle could technically contain a bourbon from two different barrels when the line switches from one barrel to the next.
George T Stagg/Stagg Jr use the same low Rye recipe so GTS along with Stagg Jr are about as close to ER10 at cask strength.
FWIW
As a primarily bourbon whisky drinker, I really appreciate whenever I stumble upon one of your bourbon reviews!
He was so right it is getting harder and harder to find it in the wild. Happy hunting and may the wings of the whiskey angels thrust good fortune your way
Try some cedar ridge double barrel 105 proof if you see it. Solid stuff and reminds me of eagle rare in some ways.
Ralfy! Thanks for the shout out..I have two bottles of the Eagle Rare 10 yo. AND, I bought the barrel it was bottled from..Bought it from Hazels Beverages here in Boulder Colorado. Hazels got an exclusive single barrel bottling from Buffalo Trace, and they had the barrel on the floor. I talked them into selling it to me. You're right Eagle Rare 10yo is really good stuff. Driving home with the Barrel my Jeep started smelling like really good bourbon..Good thing the police didn't pull me over!!
Foxrock321 What have you done with the barrel?
Have it in my bar
I had a bottle bought for me on father's day, my wife and son took notice of my hinting lol.
My favourite bourbon and one of my favourite whiskies, beautiful.
I live in Bardstown Kentucky, bourbon capital of the world. For the price there’s no better bourbon than Eagle Rare. Thanks for the great review
Drinking a glass of this now... while I don't get all those flavors.. it is pretty darn good!
Some have mentioned Eagle Rare used to be a Single Barrel offering. If Buffalo Trace is to be believed (and I happen to believe them), the Single Barrel designation was only removed due to a change in the bottling line. Again according to BT, Eagle Rare is as close as you can get to a Single Barrel bourbon, without the designation. As I understand it, the barrels are still bottled one at a time, but there will be some of the last barrel in the line, when the next barrel is put in to barrel. That means, at most, some bottles will be a mix of two barrels. At around $30 for a 750, it's hard to go wrong. But I definately would love a cask strength version of this.
I love Eagle Rare! We can get it for $35 here in Nevada, and it's amazing.
Used to be $20 back in the early 2000’s!
This is now really hard to find in Chicago. I bar-tended here for a few years and we had quite the following for this gem. Delicious whisky and a spot on review on every level!
First tried this in New Orleans about 12 years ago. The bartender mixed it into an excellent Manhattan. It has been a staple ever since. Still great stuff, and fantastic value. Somewhat difficult to find these days, but still available.
Sigh... my favorite go-to. I am so happy you were able to enjoy this, but I'm also in the position of having one's favourite, quiet secret, splashed across the internet. :^) I got to watch a batch of Eagle Rare being dumped and bottled last year at Frankfurt. I think it beats Blanton's and, frankly, all the other Buffalo Trace (Sazerac), offerings... except maybe for Weller. And now we're all going to have to go out and grab a case before it vanishes. :^)
Bought my first bottle yesterday for £30 on offer. Even more excited to try it now 👍🏻
Thankyou ralfi, just bought a bottle entirely from your review, it really is as good as you say and then some
Just about to finish my first bottle . I'm still finding new notes on the palette, love this bourbon.
Just amazing stuff for the price.
Gotta go head to head against Evan Williams bonded for comparison.
I had a liquor store in my area put me on a list about 1 1/2-2 months ago. Just got a bottle of eagle rare today and it is definitely great. Not the best, but probably top five. Love the finish. You still taste it a few minutes later, I love the oakiness.
Try some cedar ridge double barrel 105 proof if you see it. Really brings out the woody twang.
@@jamesnm21 they don’t have it in my area in upstate NY 😢
I do enjoy watching a review while drinking the whiskey that is showcased. Sipping on some Eagle Rare right now!
Someone at Tesco uk earned their pay by deciding to stock this. Found it on the shelf last week and my days it’s good.
I feel fortunate to have steady access to this lovely bourbon. It is affordable at $31 in my town and is my daily drinker.
I hear Eagle Rare is literally “rare” in some parts of the US due to high demand, luckily in my area it’s easily accessible. I think I am going to take your suggestion on grabbing a couple bottles and putting them to the side
I want to say thank you Ralfy for you reviews, as this was another winner. I also want to thank all of your responders to this vlog, thanks for the many educated and personal examples of the really good bourbons available... I have my shopping list now thanks to all of you, I need to secure 4 of the bourbons mentioned by all of you and enjoy some of the many flavors of life.
So glad you found and reviewed this ralfy! Got mine from Asda last month! Knew you would like it!
Yes, it's very complex but Ralfy nails it down quite nicely....almost poetic....bravo!
I had gotten my father in law a bottle of this whiskey (never hearing about it before) for Christmas last year, and since, it has rapidly made it to the top of our Bourbon list. Great bourbon.
My absolute favorite available bourbon! Single barrel store picks (depending on store) are absolute gems!
Hi Ralfy, as someone mentioned earlier this was a single barrel but had to change that due to production changes. What they also did was move the 10 yo statement from front to back....some sceptics believe this is to prepare us for it becoming a NAS...its so good I think that this may end up being the case and as long as the price stays the same and it tastes just as good I will be keeping this as my go to bourbon until I come across something that offers more value ( Elijag Craig 12 comes close). Also just to add...most bourbon from Buffalo Trace is top notch in my opinion. Really glad you reviewed this one. Cheers Ralfy
I've been buying this for my dad for Father's day for years now. it really is excellent stuff
Wow! The drop of water did it right. Really opened up the flavors. 🥃👍
Hi Ralfy,
Here in The Netherlands I've found two different versions of this in a single cask expression.
It's Single Barrel Select barrel number 116 for "Bourbon connoisseurs" and barrel 53 for "mixologists".
I went with 116 naturally although I can't imagine the 53 being very much inferior.
Ralfy. Just want to thank you for your well defined and informative videos. I have to say I have learned an awful lot by watching them. My favorite whiskey is a good bourbon, and I very much appreciate your recommendations before I make a new purchase. Happy and Healthy Year to you!
January 2022, NSW Australia: Easily found on the shelf of most bottleshops. Anywhere from $90 - $110. I am off to buy a couple tomorrow as my 1st in almost empty. A PHENOMENAL drop.
And the 2nd bottle is just as good as the 1st. It is my favourite bourbon by a long stretch. This is absolutely stunning. So subtle, so complex, so damn good.
Ralfy, ---- [1] Indeed, Eagle Rare 10 yr Str Bourbon is most excellent. I have it & love it.
--- [2] However, Booker's Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Jim Beam is a discernible & large step up in both quality & enjoyment from the excellent Eagle Rare. Booker's one of the world's great whiskies regardless of price.
--- [3] Booker's is barrel strength (usually between about 62% & 63.5%) & is unchill-filtered. Each batch has its own individual age statement written on each bottle. Booker's in the bottle is just as it comes from the barrel.
--- [4] Please, give Booker's a grade. You will be most pleased, & so will your viewers. Booker's is indeed one of the world's great whiskeys regardless of price.
Danke & Slainte, Richard
Agreed. Booker's is fantastic. Also, although a different style, Baker's is excellent as well.
Matt, Bakers is one I haven't tried yet. Sounds like I should?
Agreed! Bookers is amazing. For the ABV, you can actually sip it straight...which is saying a lot. Zero harshness. Though probably better with the usual amount of water added to open up the bouquet.
Oh Ralfy, You and a few other whisky experts convinced me to buy this even though it is $47us no tax here in Cambodia...I can get 2 liters of Wild Turkey 101 for $1us more.
But, tomorrow is 4th of July and that is what the Whisky is dedicated to.
cheers...
. . . happy to help, have a good 4J
@Ralfy, after you posted this video, I asked some knowledgeable bourbon industry folks about single barrel Eagle Rare.. What they said was quite astonishing. I'm quoting them here verbatim --
"The 10 year is basically a single barrel, just missed being qualified as such barely. It has to do with the bottling line. The bottling line currently streamlines from one barrel to the next so there is no way to guarantee that the end of one barrel does not mix in the pipe with beginning of the next barrel....on classified "single barrels" they bottle process is more careful to ensure that only one barrel is used."
"Eagle Rare was originally a 101 proof ten year old straight bourbon whiskey. The bottles changed in around 2005 when they discontinued the 101 proof. The bottle underwent another change when they moved the age statement from the front of the bottle to the back. From 05 to present all bottles have be 90 proof single barrels. Recently, Buffalo Trace has a new bottling system whereas they couldn't guarantee some barrels didn't get mixed but on those bottles they took the single barrel statement off. This is the case with Eagle Rare."
When I asked them if the bottles tend to be consistent, they said -- "In my experience and I have drank a lot of it. It is pretty consistent. I have noticed the private picks have been better for the most part."
Ergo the bottle you have is most likely a single barrel bottling, although not stated.
When Ralfy reviews your favorite whiskey and gives it 90 it's like Christmas. I knew you would love this Ralfy. 3 points:
1) i always notice that the second glass of this is somehow better, you are right on that it's for a full evening 2) The price should be 30 but is now creeping towards 40, and 3) stores can buy their own single barrel versions of ER They pick a barrel and the bottle carries an extra sticker that reads Single Barrel Select and the store name. these are closer to 50 dollars. still at 45% abv and not reliably available (by design). glad you enjoyed ER.
I'm conflicted and will now have to go shell out for that case Ralfy mentioned. :^) We cannot get Weller here anymore because it was outted. :^)
Picked up my first bottle this evening in the San Francisco Bay Area - $27. Might have to tuck a few away just in case.
Thankfully I snatched up a 1.75L of a single barrel select for only $50 :D
love how impassioned you are about what you do...you sir should write a book. this is one of my favorite bourbons. beautiful review...more power, cheers.
Havent bought this in a year..still reasonably priced..rather good if i remember rightly!😍🥃
This is the same mash bill as the Buffalo standard bottling but 2 years older and aged in a lower tier of the warehouses.
Actually, I have read that Buffalo Trace Bourbon is six years old, so that makes Eagle Rare four years older. The difference in depth is quite noticeable.
Buffalo Trace used to be 8 years old no longer, I dont even think its 6 years old anymore. 4 or 5 tops
My wife and I toured the distillery last year and they told us it was 8. They did also admit that they have issues with high demand for their product vs amount of warehouse space, which I think they are addressing.
Yeah I mean I have no doubt they told her it was 8 but the demand is super high and there is no age statement. The thing is it just does not taste like it used to. On top of that there is no age statement. You know what Ralfy says about that.
Correct, BT and ER are from BT's #1 mash bill which is their "low rye" (undisclosed) mash bill (as opposed to Blanton's, Rock Hill Farms, Elmer T Lee which is BT's #2 "high rye" mash bill. BT is a NAS, so it is blend (usually) of between 6-8 years old, of course unless you get a Single Barrel, in which case you can choose the specific age. (The company I work for buys multiple barrels a year and we get to choose which age we want, within reason, which they all then barrel). ER of course is 10 years, as it is stated on the back now, and used to a be a single barrel but is now simply a smaller batching of barrels. Cheers.
I just picked up a bottle of this. Very difficult to acquire.
As Ralfy mentions a superlative bourbon! A bit pricey here on the west coast of Florida. $70...
If you're a single malt scotch lover and want to branch out and enjoy other whisky give this a try!
Just got a bottle , willing to let it go for $60. Also west coast of Fl. Let me know !
@@TheNickbrady23 where are you located
@@TheNickbrady23
Where are you located?
I had mentioned this to you 5 or six years ago, glad you finally found a bottle!
Just came across your channel dear Sir. Excellent reviews! Poetic description for sure!!
Weather us stupid warm here in Brazil this past couple weeks (harshest heat wave in history). So in order to be able to refresh myself I bought a Woodford Reserve to make some drinks with ice... a deal popped up and I also got an Eagle Rare 10, super cheap.
I barely know bourbon at all... all the basic ones I had tried are horrible... I then tasted some Woodford Reserve on a flight and it was actually pleasant enough (no point drinking it neat at home though as all my single malts mop the floor with it)... Hoping to be impressed by Eagle Rare once I open it. If I don't it's fine, it will then go in cocktails.
As a newbie to higher-end bourbons, Im looking forward to trying Eagle Rare as it's very reasonably priced here in Toronto (even for Canadian standards of government taxation of alcohol). I'm a BIG fan right now of Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon which has seen some limited release here in my area. It is considerably more expensive than Eagle Rare (same Buffalo Trace producer) so I hope Ralfy get's his hand on this "Whiskey Grenade" (The bottle looks like a hand grenade!!....but tastefully done and not out of sheer marketing strategy). Thanks for the review Ralfy-boy! Im looking forward to a campfire or two with some Eagle Rare in my hand and belly. Cheers, mate!
Ralfy thank you so much for the many many reviews. I find this bourbon to be so finessed and all of the flavors and smells are in the right place on the palate. No bells and whistles...and as you said...understated. Sadly, this is often seen as whatever or boring, etc. In a very different profile, this reminds me of some of the very well made Japanese whiskies. Anyway...I appreciate the refined pov here. Cheers from Brooklyn NYC!
This is one of my favourite bourbons excellent review Ralfy
Living in Fairbanks, Ak and the temp sitting at 80º F (26.6º C). Sometimes we like a little Ice in our Bourbon. Good one though right up there with Elmer T Lee.
£30 this at the moment on Amazon. Bloody bargain.
Currently the best value in bourbon since hipsters hijacked Weller. Ah for a to return to the days of $9 seven year old Weller, $23 Weller 12 year, and $14.99 Evan Williams Single Barrel.
Ralfy - look out for Stagg Jr. It's a cask strength small batch version of Buffalo Trace. It averages around 66%. It's similar to Eagle Rare and I know it violates your NAS prohibition but in Buffalo Trace's own words it "ages for nearly a decade." It's Eagle Rare on steroids. Eagle rare is a far better value, I can get it for $26 US whereas the Stagg Jr. is twice that much. All that being said - even if you don't review it, seriously keep an eye out for Stagg Jr. It's Huge.
The only information that is worth anything is what's printed on the label. Nevertheless, thanks for your insight. :)
Or Blanton's SFTB... very available in Europe
I second stagg jr. It's a clear stand out for me among buffalo traces range.
I just picked up a bottle of Stagg Jr and tried it side by side with my eagle rare 10 yr. To me it really does seem like eagle rare on steriods.
this really is a great bourbon. I havent had to much experience with bourbons but this eagle rare is just fantastic, my favorite so far
Ralfy agree 100% on your review. If you lived in Alaska you wouldn't bother with the glass.
£30 in Tesco right now. First pour nice but can't wait to see how this develops
Just bought myself a bottle today 🥃
Definitely a favorite of mine. Thanks for the reviews.
I was able to get a bottle, so I'm drinking it with you now as I watch this. I'm excited. :D
You mentioned cranberry, vanilla, and apricot. I thought I picked up on some of that. Maybe some caramel too. But a lot of the things you said I have never had any experience with so they're foreign to me, lol! Fun experience though. Maybe the first time I've ever had the sensation of pulling flavors out of a whiskey.
Im from KY, born in Louisville. The best whiskey in the world. Thanks Ralfy
I have had the pleasure of emptying and helping to empty several bottles of Eagle Rare. Here in Texas it was readily available and about $25 for a 750 ml bottle. Best bang for your buck in the liquor store in my opinion. Now it's getting hard to find and the price is creeping up as you feared Ralfy. Get it while you can!
Loved Eagle rare for years. Also love the next step up, Blanton's. Both are almost impossible to find in my area. I have a line on a liter of Buffalo Trace which is also very good but not the level of Eagle Rare.
Eagle Rare > Blantons
The entire buffalo trace line is amazing
Currently £25 down from £36 at certain Asdas. I don't think they know what they've got! Absolutely stellar bourbon for the price.
This is without a doubt one of the biggest bangs for the buck in bourbon whiskey... I enjoyed the last one and should run out and get another one soon.
Ralfy was right, its impossible to find now. Thanks internet!
I had this last night and god an absinthe/wormwood note. I thought "that's something Ralfy would say". I awake to find the review but no mention of absinthe/wormwood.
Keep your eyes open for Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit. It’s a single cask version of the regular 101.
So glad you reviewed this.
Totally agree with you on this whiskey. One of my favorites. Stocked up.
Love the nose on this one (I keep smelling the glass after the whiskey is gone).
Drinking this as I type, and for some reason am craving some Bit O Honey toffee candy.
Thanks Ralfy, I'll have to try this one out. I'd recommend you try the Knob Creek Single Barrel if you haven't yet--120 proof! It's my go-to bourbon these days. It's no Elmer T Lee, but it's a good'un.
Couldn't agree more with this one. One of my favourite bourbons. Strange that it's getting difficult to get in the US by most people but my local Tesco has it for £31! which is an absolute steal for something this good.
Indeed Ralfy this is a fine drop I just took custody of 3 bottles today it is very hard to find
I am in Florida and so enjoy your reviews. I am relatively new to the whiskey world so your reviews really help me in my decision making process. Thanks very much :)
. . . your welcome !
Hard to find now. But. I have picked up a 750 l and a 1.75 l in the past week. So good to sip. Full flavor just right for me.
This is seriously good stuff. Every time I come back to this whiskey, I'm never disappointed. If you like savory, nutty whiskey you will love this.
I found the finish a tad dry. A green apple oakie tartness that wanted to go to the dry side, slightly so.
Thanks Ralfy for your appreciation of American whiskyteers and their whiskycraft.
Eagle Rare is a World Series baseball game in a bottle
🥃🌫⚾️
the well-oiled & furnished leather glove, hint of hidden-in-jacket sweet Appalachian cigar🌫smoke, end of the game carmel🍿corn, rye humor, the cherry 🍨ff the sundae, candied apple coated with crushed oily black walnuts, melted grape slushee, a momento of the very puckered end of a Nathan's footlong beef hotdog mingling with ocean salt in the stadium air, the stolen base, the curve ball & the 4-seam fast ball, the striking sound of the ump's vocal chords, the homerun, the winning celebration,
👋🏿💥👋🏼 slaps, the defeated team's grainy sense of getting back at them next year, the 🏆,
da' w⚾️rks
🥃🔥
Share an American classic tonight -- toast with Eagle Rare
✍🏽
-author-screenwriter
Michael Charles
I agree, that's a top notch bourbon. Superb value!
Picked up a bottle of this at my local store, and I agree it's quite lovely. When you get a chance, try out Noah's Mill.
Come to Arkansas instead and visit Rock Town!
I completely agree, this at barrel proof could be epic!
Hi Ralfy, if you see this message in time, note that Eagle Rare 10yr is sold on Amazon under a "cyber monday" offer at 23 quid. ... I bought 4.
fab price indeed. I bought 2 as well.
This and Weller 12 are my favorite Bourbons of all time.
EH TAYLOR SMALL BATCH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. IT'S SO GOOD
I know others have said this; however, the new camera overdoes blue (and red) and you should use more muted colored clothing to correct. I suggest you use several changes of clothing in a test to see which colors it likes best. Another good review.
Ralfy I can't tell if you're wearing a jacket or a rope. I want to believe this is a bath robe and you've evolved your reviews to complete and utter comfort.
Another Buffalo Trace product is Colonel EH Taylor Bottled in Bond.
One of my all-time favorite bourbon's
You know your whiskey! Subscribed!
Every bottling is slightly different, but, I enjoy that about this one, it adds some personality to each bottle! The producer is quite consistent - or at least with the bottles I've acquired. This'n it may not be the end-all-beat-all.. this is a great choice at a great price point. Pappy Van Winkle may be ahead, but, this is a great compromise! I'd score this quite highly, just for the fact that it's a good baseline for good whiskey.
Love eagle rare! I’d suggest trying basil Hayden’s as well
I just bought a bottle 7/12/2017,I never tried eagle rear before but I watched a comment on another whiskey and in the end they mentioned eagle rear so I thought I would buy a bottle.I like Bookers and Jack Daniels cask strength of course,but this is my new $30.00 whiskey for sure.I like the oily butter after taste.
Love eagle. The bar I worked at in 2012 was doing 5 dollar pours of this. Now you can't even find a bottle in my town in CA
great video as usual ralfy!
Ralfy, a philosophical insight per your comments about Eagle Rare. The PBS travel show host Rick Steves recently observed (to paraphrase): "in Western developed countries, people have a tendency to live from a perspective of scarcity & fear, while in poor developing countries people often live from a perspective of boldness & bounty." It's a shame that whenever a good thing enters our lives in our culture we have to wonder -- from experience! -- if the price will go up or if it will disappear entirely. It's a cultural imperative for us to re-emphasize quality of life over profits ... and to recover a sincere interest in Progress.
. . . a good point well-placed.
Excellent review, thanks so much
Ralfy, Tesco have these for £31 a bottle at the moment, phenomenal value! I had to stock up on a few 😊
I love Eagle Rare, one of my favorite Bourbons. I get it for about $30 (Nevada, US).