Review: Eagle Rare Bourbon 30 Years Old
When Buffalo Trace announced Eagle Rare 25 in late 2023, the news effectively came with a wink and a nod: Yes, it was the oldest Eagle Rare to date, but don’t be surprised to see more “ultra-aged” whiskey coming down the pipeline. By 2018, the distillery had already invested millions in Warehouse P, an experimental facility that is “climate managed” to push the boundaries of aging American whiskey. It was almost assumed even older bourbons were in the works.
Two and a half years later, and it’s time for Eagle Rare 30, the new oldest-ever whiskey in the brand’s lineup. (Indeed, it’s the oldest age-stated bourbon ever to come out of Buffalo Trace.) Like its 25 year old sibling, this whiskey spent the last period of its life in Warehouse P. According to distillery representatives, the intention was to craft a decades-old bourbon that isn’t completely dominated by oak tannins and astringency. It’s a goal that largely paid off with Eagle Rare 25, resulting in an almost shockingly vibrant, balanced pour.
Buffalo Trace hasn’t divulged an exact bottle count for the 30 year old, but Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley confirmed the entire release comes from a single, consolidated barrel. That was also true of 2023’s Eagle Rare 25 release, which the brand confirmed yielded just under 200 bottles.
In recent months, I sampled Eagle Rare 30 twice: Once at Buffalo Trace Distillery, and again at a media event in New York City. Let’s dive in.
Eagle Rare Bourbon 30 Years Old Review
The nose kicks off with a burst of oaky praline, followed almost immediately by powdered hot chocolate. A second sniff brings some lovely cherry, perhaps a bit lighter and brighter than I might have expected from ultra-aged Eagle Rare. There’s also spice aplenty, including white pepper and cinnamon. But what really got me invested in this nose was a surprising — and engrossing — herbal character. It’s part lemongrass and part freshly cut grass, with a waft of cut cantaloupe thrown in for good measure. Amidst the oak influence (and trust, there is plenty) those herbal/melon/floral components provided depth a step or two beyond the “average” very old bourbon.
At a recent tasting, Harlen Wheatley said that to him, this one smells like “Christmas candy.” While I’m not 100% sure which candy he was referring to, I’m inclined to agree. Between the spice, fruit, and sticky caramel sweetness, there’s simply a ton going on here — so a favorite holiday confection is likely to be in the mix.
A first sip is recognizable Eagle Rare insofar as it features the famed cherry medley. Cherry cough drop and cherry cola meet a thread of black pepper for an early palate that’s both well-spiced and nearly effervescent. Flavors lean sweeter from there and gradually crescendo from the front through the back palates, specifically dulce de leche and dark butterscotch. By the midpalate, I pick up on herbal elements similar to the nose, in this case pine, spearmint candy, and mint julep. The back palate takes a sudden turn to deep, dark chocolate tannins with a pop of sweet balsamic vinegar. It’s viscous but not syrupy across the tongue, facilitating a complex experience that allows many notes to shine at once. And yes, remarkably, it does avoid getting over-oaked.
The finish is well-spiced and mint-forward. Green mint candy lends a very light menthol quality, which underpins lingering notes like hard butterscotch candy, cinnamon spiced apple butter, black cherry, and orange bitters.
Next to Eagle Rare 25, an additional five years of “managed” aging have contributed just a touch more complexity, especially in the realm of sweet herbal flavors. The first time I tried Eagle Rare 25 and 30 side-by-side, I just barely preferred the younger expression, largely for its midpalate. After a second comparison, I’m firmly in Eagle Rare 30’s camp. Both are exquisite bourbons, and taken together, unique in the current American whiskey landscape. My job sure is tough, huh?
101 proof.
A+ / $12,500
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