We are doing things a little differently today here at Talking Bourbon. We are tasting and comparing two Bourbons from the legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery. Eagle Rare and Blanton’s, both are Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and both have a great and well-deserved following. Count Talking Bourbon as fans of both, but it has been a very long time since we actually sat down and did a tasting of either one (2016). And as we have explained before, tasting requires concentrating on the smell and the flavors, not just kicking back and enjoying the drink.
We also have two guest tasters, which has only been done a few times in the past. Frank and Nate, (sounds like a monster if you say it fast), are joining us this evening. Frank’s first love is Redbreast Irish Whiskey while Nate is a gin guy. Lucky for us, or maybe them, they both like an occasional pour of a good Bourbon.
We are going to concentrate on Eagle Rare today, and Blanton’s on the next post. Our overview of both and our last thoughts will also be in the next post.
Eagle Rare is 90 proof, aged 10 years, sells for anywhere between $40 and $80, and comes in a sharp-looking, tall, corked bottle with an eagle on the front. Like its name, Eagle Rare can be hard to find these days. Buffalo Trace does not disclose the mash bill, but it is generally thought to be 75% corn, 10% rye, and 15% malted barley.
As stated above, both these Bourbons have long been a favorite of ours. The last time we had Eagle Rare was with a mutual friend of ours and we just loved it. Did the fun and comradery add to the enjoyment? We will see.
NOSE
Nate: I get a nice aroma of honey, wood, pepper, and a little cinnamon.
Frank: Sweet brown sugar and caramel is what I smell first, then a slight oakiness.
Todd: Lots to like here, I get the sweet brown sugar and caramel that Frank picked up on as well as the cinnamon that Nate got. But I also detect dark fruits, vanilla, leather, and a nice nuttiness. Ice added some more sweetness.
Matt: Looks like all of us but Nate got the brown sugar and caramel. I also get a lot of wood upfront as well. Behind that is leather and cherries. Ice didn’t do much for me.
TASTE
Nate: Fruit and vanilla with some oak and almond notes.
Frank: Butterscotch, honey, and caramel with a slight taste of toasted bread.
Todd: Caramel, fruit, leather, and wood with a touch vanilla. Has an overall sweetness to it. A little hot neat, better with a cube.
Matt: Toasty and nutty with leather and cherries still prominent. Also getting a little vanilla, caramel, and a very slight wet wood taste. Ice dumbs it down.
FINISH
Nate: Long with some more vanilla.
Frank: Medium with not much change.
Todd: Medium long with some nice heat and a little more sweetness.
Matt: Medium long with more of the same as above. Slightly hot finish.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 8.5 out of 10
Finish 4 out of 5
Total score 17 out of 20 barrels.
Don’t miss our next post where we taste and rate Blanton’s and have our overall view of both. Now that we did the hard work of concentrating on the nose and taste, time to just sit back and enjoy a drink with friends.