I always seem to have a problem with . . .

Joined Sep 2003
9K Posts | 0+
Puerto Rico/NYC
single barrel bourbons. They usually seem somewhat muted in flavor and one dimensional. I know that consistency is deemed an important constituent, and I know that taste tester's who pick out certain barrels for their uniqueness are looking for certain qualities of refinement, such as smoothness, but I'm rarely excited by the flavors I find in such products. The ones I've had mostly lack complexity or "excitement" in their flavor profile, like a truly unique and distinguishing characteristic, which is supposedly what those barrels are chosen for.

Such was the case when I made my definitive taste test with the Eagle Rare 10 year old single barrel 90 proof bourbon, the one in the absolutely beautiful collector's item bottle.

To be sure, it's most definitely a fine product, but as I opened up the document which used to contain my Top Ten bourbon list, now rapidly expanding to a college football ratings-like Top 25, I couldn't really say that this highly touted bourbon did enough for my taste buds to rate anything higher than No. 22 or 23. When certain other taste tests are concluded, I will be making another rearrangement of the placings and publish my new Top 25 within the next week or so.

The Eagle Rare 10 year old single barrel 90 proof bourbon has a flavor of heavily honeyed oak, with a short to medium finish hinting mostly of molasses. It would have been nice if the oak had been more prominent, because the honey flavor is almost overwhelming. I certainly wouldn't ever turn this stuff down, but it's not at the elite, or Top Ten level of my list.