The Ultimate Guide To Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old is an affordable, multi-award-winning bourbon beloved by bourbon beginners and whiskey connoisseurs alike. When the brand was introduced in the mid-1970s it was billed as a luxury bourbon. Many would argue, given the easy-drinking yet complex nature of the Eagle Rare 10 Year Old, that this still holds true. And yet, you can pick up this “luxury” 10 year old whiskey for around $40.

The Buffalo Trace Distillery is the home of Eagle Rare as well as many famous bourbon brands. Iconic premium expressions such as George T. Stagg, Pappy Van Winkle, and Col. E.H. Taylor Jr. are all produced using Buffalo Trace’s stills. Whilst these brands are extremely popular (and rightly so) they also come at a premium price point. This is where Eagle Rare 10 year old differs.

So, what is it that makes the Eagle Rare 10 Year Old so good, so affordable, and yet so hard to get your hands on? I explore the origins, makeup, and history of this fan-favorite bourbon in the ultimate guide to Eagle Rare 10 Year Old. 

The Origins of Eagle Rare 10 Year Old 

It was not only the scotch whisky industry that was affected by a slump in demand for whisk(e)y in the 1970s and 80s. Across the board, demand was down. Charles L. Beam (grandnephew of Jim Beam), however, seemed undeterred by the downturn and decided to create a luxury bourbon aged for at least 10 years to distinguish his products from the others on the market.

And so, Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon was first produced in 1975 at the Seagram’s Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Charles L. Beam had previously seen success with the launch of Benchmark Bourbon in 1968. 

There is also good reason to believe that Eagle Rare was created to rival the incredibly popular Wild Turkey, with the 10-year age statement making Eagle Rare stand out. This hypothesis is reinforced by some of the early marketing material for the 10 Year Old. One advert, from 1979, shows a bottle of Eagle Rare in front of a roasted turkey, with the tagline: “Carve the Turkey. Pour the Eagle”. 

How Is Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Made? 

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old’s mash bill has always been (and probably will always be) a closely guarded secret. The whiskey is distilled from Buffalo Trace’s mash bill #1, the same as is used to create Buffalo Trace Bourbon, George T. Stagg, and Col. E.H. Taylor Jr. It is thought that the 10 Year Old’s mash bill is low-rye, with many estimating less than 10% rye in the mash bill. Of course, we know that there is at least 51% corn in there too. The rest, however, is a mystery. 

Following distillation, the whiskey is matured for at least 10 years in heavily charred virgin American oak, also known as ‘alligator barrels’. They are so named because the 60+ seconds of toasting develops deep ridges in the wood, resembling the skin of an alligator. These ridges provide more additional surface area with which the bourbon can interact, resulting in a deeper and more complex flavor profile.

What’s Changed Since The 1970s?

As mentioned above, the expression was initially made at the Seagram’s Four Roses Distillery. This came to an end when Sazerac purchased the Eagle Rare and Benchmark brands from Seagram’s in 1989. 

At this time, Sazerac did not have its own distillery, so Eagle Rare was produced at Heaven Hill Distillery until Sazerac purchased the George T. Stagg Distillery in 1992. Soon after its purchase, the distillery was renamed Buffalo Trace. 

It is also worth noting that the early Eagle Rare 10 Year Olds used to be bottled at 101 proof from a single barrel, with occasional 90 proof expressions. This is no longer the case, with the strength changing to 90 proof (45% ABV) across the board in 2005, where it remains today. The ‘single barrel’ designation was dropped around 2012 following the installation of a new automated bottling line at Buffalo Trace Distillery. 

Also in 2012, the 10-year age statement moved to the back of the bottle following a redesign. 

Where Can You Buy Eagle Rare 10 Year Old, & How Much Does It Cost? 

With the popularity and affordability of Eagle Rare 10 Year Old taken into consideration, it is not entirely surprising that the expression is difficult to find. It is not something you can pick up on the supermarket shelves in Target at the moment.

Your best bet is checking retail comparison websites such as Wine-Searcher, where you can filter by state (or by country if you are outside of the US). 

The Eagle Rare 10 Year Old is currently listed on Wine-Searcher for around $57.99 for a 750ml bottle. Buffalo Trace’s retail price hovers around $40. 

In the UK, perhaps illogically, Eagle Rare 10 Year Old seems to be slightly easier to get hold of. Mark himself recently picked up a bottle in Tesco for around £38. You can also buy the whiskey on Amazon for £30.*

*A little disclaimer here: I live in the UK, so it is possible that not all US retail results are being shown to me. However, further research does seem to support the concept that the 10 Year Old is, by no means, easy to acquire in its country of origin. 

The affordability of this expression has always been one of its key selling points. Any bourbon enthusiast will know that aging a bourbon to 10 years can be quite a challenge, especially in the fluctuating Kentucky heat. Sazerac could definitely charge more for this expression. However, the whiskey’s fanbase has been built on the back of its stunning profile and accessibility. Pricing out drinkers would not necessarily be in Eagle Rare’s best interests. 

With that being said, if you’re after more of a premium bottle for special occasions then there are some older and more expensive Eagle Rare expressions. The 17 Year Old, the Double Eagle Very Rare, and the latest Eagle Rare 25 are all going to make a statement on your bottle shelf. 

Release Schedule 

Another contributing factor to the rarity of Eagle Rare (if you’ll pardon the pun) is the fact that it is only released in very limited quantities. These allocations are then distributed to bars and retailers chosen by Buffalo Trace. As mentioned above, you will definitely struggle to find Eagle Rare in your local supermarkets. 

You can pick a bottle up at the Buffalo Trace Distillery itself. But you might have to make a couple of visits. That’s because Eagle Rare whiskeys are offered on a rotating basis alongside brands such as Weller Special Reserve, E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and Blanton’s Single Barrel. Typically, only one of these brands is offered on-site per day. The only whiskeys available daily (and subject to availability) are Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Traveller Whiskey, and Sazerac Rye Whiskey.

Do not despair, however. In recent years Buffalo Trace has been undergoing a $1.2 billion expansion that has already seen 14 new barrel warehouses, 12 additional fermenters, and a visitor center that has tripled in size. A new still house came online in 2023. 

Ultimately, this expansion will lead to increased distilling capacity, to the tune of some 227,000 liters per day. So, Eagle Rare 10 Year Old might become easier to get a hold of in the future. Here’s hoping! 

What Does Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Taste Like?

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old is popular, not only for its low price tag but also for its flavor. F. Paul Pacult, a world-renowned spirits expert, wrote in his Spirit Journal: “Easily one of the most tactile yet assertive and expressive bourbons I’ve tasted in the last two years; fasten your seat belts.”

In the interest of providing up-to-date tasting notes, I asked one of our UK reviewers, Phil Dwyer, to sample the Eagle Rare 10 Year Old. This is what he had to say:

“Appearance: Light Sherry

Nose: Buttery corn and super fruity red wine! Think Beaujolais nouveau, grape juice, grape Fanta but with booze! There is a hot honey note running right through the middle of this that I love. Quite a lot of nuttiness, too. Think about cashews and peanuts. Also, some classic birthday notes of chocolate cake covered in rich vanilla icing, maybe even marzipan.

Palate: Light arrival with more of that peanut oil flavor profile. More of those fruity red wine notes, but getting a little drier and tannic. Perhaps even a smoky note from heavily charred new casks. Some stone fruit notes of peach and apricot, a little more of that hot honey! I’m loving that note in this.

Finish: The dryness is a little more present now, but not unpleasant. The spice from new casks, sweet corn, chilli spices, a little note of acetone from the distillation process, finishing off with more of these winey notes.

Comments: I thought I’d put myself off this whiskey by drinking half a bottle and playing Red Dead Redemption 2 until a silly time in the morning, but it’s still a gold standard in American whisky making. 

8/10”

A Multi-Award-Winning Bourbon 

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old is no stranger to awards. On its website, Buffalo Trace regularly updates the awards list for each of its expressions. 

In 2024 alone, the 10 Year Old has won: 

• Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (its fifth Double Gold to date) 
• Gold at the Denver International Spirits Competition 
• Gold at the International Spirits Challenge 
• Double Platinum at the ASCOT Awards 
• Silver at the International Wine & Spirits Competition

And I wouldn’t expect the accolades to stop there if the brand’s history is anything to go by. 

Don’t Take Our Word For It 

Whiskey tasting notes can be extremely useful in identifying the defining characteristics of a spirit. After all is said and done, though, whiskey tasting is completely subjective. So, don’t be afraid to get yourself a bottle of Eagle Rare 10 Year Old (if you can). A 10 Year Old bourbon for around $40 is truly a bargain and, if the critics are to be believed, one that you will not regret making. 

Is Eagle Rare 10 a staple in your drinks cabinet? Or are you yet to sample this wonderful expression? Tell us what you think in the comments below!