Tastes

In Virginia, where I live, this runs north of $30. I have a friend who just wants to get rid of his bottle, and I don't want it. I find it bitter and this just kills this bourbon for me (nice nose, though). I thought it might be a bad bottle, and have since tried some from two other bottles... still bitter and unpleasant to my palette (but great nose!).

OK... up front, I am a fan of Buffalo Trace products (as well as Four Roses). This has more oak than Buffalo Trace and the much younger Ancient Age and Benchmark, but brings spice (despite being from the lower rye mash bill?) and fullness instead of tannic bitterness. Where I live, this is only a couple bucks more than BT, so well worth the price for the added oak, complexity, and smoothness that comes with additional age (at < $30, this is well worth the price for a well aged bourbon). I find it warming and spicy neat (although not as warming as 94 proof Elijah Craig 12) and sweeter and fruitier with water. I just wish the bottle was shorter to fit in my liquor cabinet. EDIT: while hard to prove, I agree with those saying that the most-recent Eagle Rare doesn't seem to be as good as the former "single barrel" bottlings... now worth $30 rather than being a value at that price.

I enjoy this much more than Makers Mark (which I find to have a bitter, sharp finish). Another reviewer described it as "maple syrup and pancakes" and that describes the mid-palate sweetness pretty well. It is also versatile, being nice neat, with water, on ice, or mixed. Not the longest finish, but enjoyable nonetheless. If you enjoy softer, sweeter bourbons, you will like this.

2.5 - A solid bourbon, especially for the price. Very good nose (classic bourbon notes of caramel, wood, tobacco) but fairly sweet palate, especially with water. Neat, the finish is slightly rough, but very smooth on ice or with water. Mixes very well.

3.5 - I generally don't drink much higher proof bourbon, but had to try this after hearing good things about this BIB. Nose is similar to Elijah Craig, but with a touch less smoke/wood (very nice). Palate is very similar to the nose, with carmel and cinnamon/baking spice and wood. A little water brings out more sweetness and spice. The tasting notes nailed the finish - smooth with a spicy bite. Overall, more characteristics of a mid-premium bourbon than a bottom shelf, only lacking some of the complexity that comes with more age. Considering the price, I'd give this 4+ stars. This is a keeper. I'm sure it will mix as well as it sips.

Enjoyable for a moderately priced bourbon. The fruity, floral nose reminds me a little of cognac. On the palate, the corn sweetness is balanced by the peppery cinnamon bite of the rye. Just a touch of oak and char in a medium-short finish. I drank it neat, but think it would mix well and be a versatile bourbon.

Good basic 80-proof. Mild, sweet corn, with touch of rye and char - soft short finish. Thin and not much there, but also nothing objectionable. Similar to stablemate Benchmark, but just not as interesting to my palate. My 2 stars are really 2.5, as this is a great value. I had some after some Bushmills (at nearly 2x price) and enjoyed this more.

My favorite of the budget bourbons. Corn, tobacco and leather on the nose, sweet palate with some citrus (orange peel?) and smooth finish with some more sweetness despite some roughness around the edges. In a blind taste test with friends, this showed well and was favored by all over Jim Beam White... most preferred it over Evan Williams Black, Jack Daniels, and Four Roses Yellow Label. EDIT: I had posted a comment about recent bottles seeming milder/younger, but it was probably because I was tasting Benchmark after finishing off a handle of 90 proof Ezra Brooks (robust, and not particularly smooth or sweet)... I had Benchmark and Eagle Rare back to back this evening and was shocked at how close the $10 Benchmark came to the $30 Eagle Rare... yes, it lacked some of the ABV, barrel influence, and finish that helps balance Eagle Rare, but was very close and reminded me why I keep buying Benchmark at 1/3 the price!

This was one of the first bourbons I ever tried (coming from Irish whiskey) and it was too much for me. As I've had more bourbons, I've come to appreciate how good this is... As the reviewer below says, a little too hot for beginners, but great flavors and great value! (EDIT) Had some more of this the other night, and really enjoyed how sweet yet full and balanced this bourbon is!

Had some of this at a card game. Lower proof makes it easy to drink. Smooth with more complexity than you'd expect for lower proof (but about what you'd expect based on age and price). I agree with Rob Morton's tasting notes.