Eagle Rare 12 Bourbon
Eagle Rare 12 Bourbon is a 12-year-aged Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, crafted with a low-rye mash bill and matured for over a decade in charred American oak. This expression joins the famed Eagle Rare family as a permanent age-stated bourbon, offering deeper complexity and oak-driven character that reflects prolonged barrel time without losing approachability.
Eagle Rare 12 Bourbon
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Eagle Rare 12 Bourbon |
| Brand | Eagle Rare |
| Company | Buffalo Trace Distillery (Sazerac) |
| Category | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Kentucky |
| Distillery | Buffalo Trace Distillery |
| Age | 12 Years |
| Style | Straight Bourbon |
| Alcohol | 47.5% ABV (95 proof) |
| Mash Bill | Low-rye mash bill #1 |
| Cask Type | New charred American oak |
| Availability | Permanent release (select markets, limited allocation) |
Testing notes
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Warm amber with deep oak hues |
| Aroma | Sweet oak, almond, vanilla, honeyed notes |
| Flavours | Toasted oak, vanilla bean, caramel, toffee, subtle spice |
| Texture | Medium-full body, smooth with weight |
| Finish | Long, warm, lingering oak and sweet spice |
Prices
Price can vary significantly due to taxes, import duties, retailer markups, and currency fluctuations
| Country/Region | Price (70/75 cl) |
|---|---|
| United States | ~$49.99 USD suggested MSRP (before taxes/fees) |
| United States (Retail/Secondary) | $80 – $150 USD+ depending on availability and market demand |
| Europe (Import) | €70 – €110 EUR+ typical for boutique listings (estimated) |
| Australia (Import) | AUD 120 – AUD 170+ range in specialty stores (estimated) |
| Other Regions | Varies widely — limited distribution and import pricing differences |
Experts’ View:
Industry writers and bourbon enthusiasts have welcomed Eagle Rare 12 as an exciting evolution of a beloved label. Many note that the extra two years of maturation and higher bottling proof deepen flavour and structure without overpowering the spirit’s balance. Observers highlight a sweeter oak influence with layered vanilla, toasted wood, and warm toffee that rewards slower sipping. It’s been described as approachable yet rich, striking a fine balance between accessibility and serious whisky character.
FAQs
1. What makes Eagle Rare 12 different from Eagle Rare 10?
Eagle Rare 12 is aged two years longer and bottled at 47.5 % ABV, which gives it richer oak influence, deeper complexity, and more pronounced spice compared to the 10-year version.
2. How should I enjoy Eagle Rare 12 Bourbon?
I recommend tasting it neat first to appreciate the smooth integration of oak, vanilla, and caramel layers. A small splash of water can open up deeper aromatics without diluting richness. It also stands well with a large ice cube to slightly temper the intensity.
3. Is Eagle Rare 12 limited or permanent?
Buffalo Trace has positioned Eagle Rare 12 as a permanent addition to its Eagle Rare lineup, though initial allocations and demand may make it hard to find at MSRP in some markets.
