Looking at my notes, it's been 2 months since my last bourbon review. So I figured it's time to review a well know Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Eagle Rare 10 year old uses Buffalo Trace's mash bill #1, which I believe means it's 10% or less rye. Not sure what the rest is but it's certainly at least 51% corn. Bottled at 45% ABV, and as all straight bourbons are, it's is free from any unnatural coloring. This is a lovely dark amber or medium maple syrup. If I had to guess its chill filtered. The nose begins sweet and fruity. Cotton candy and bubblegum initially. Charred oak takes over pretty fast after that. Some restrained vanilla and caramel make their way in. Cinnamon, roasted nuts, banana and chocolate covered cherries really play nicely in the middle. Sawdust, very faint mint and a hint of cola. Apple pie and cherry lozenges come later and maple syrup notes at the bottom of the glass. This is a solid nosing bourbon. Nothing overly exciting, but solid. The palate is dominated by charred oak. Once you get acclimated to it you can start picking out other flavors. Cherry cough syrup, charcoal, roasted nuts and cinnamon. Some sweetness going on from the corn and a touch of vanilla. Bitter dark chocolate and maybe some orange peel/oil. A bit of a peppery kick and more oak. Despite being smacked around with a burnt 2x4, this is a fairly mellow bourbon for 45%. Medium bodied mouthfeel with a light oiliness. Medium long finish with oak, cherry cough syrup and corn. Another solid offering from Buffalo Trace. This used to come with a single barrel statement on the bottle but due to automated bottling they can no longer claim this because one bottle may contain the end of one barrel and the beginning of another. Basically this translates to, it's a single barrel, but sometimes it might not be. Either way it's a solid everyday sipper. Personally, I'd rather spend the exact same amount (around $30) and buy an Elijah Craig or an Evan Williams. Not very complex for its age and nothing really stands out other than the oak. Still I'd recommend it. Thanks to Scott for the sample. 3.75 Cheers A bit of an interesting side note, I neglected a flask that had some Eagle Rare in it for a month and poured it (about a half oz) after I finished my fresh sample. The heavy oak is nearly gone and in its place is warm maple syrup and baking spices. I guess this is a whiskey that really benefits from some oxidization. If I was basing my review off of this pour it would be a 4. So we'll call it somewhere in between.