Now let me admit right off the bat that I am a big Eagle Rare supporter (consumer). I’m a fan of the fact that they produce and bottle single barrels of their Bourbon, which guarantees each batch will be a little different and therefore exciting; they bottle their spirit at 90 proof, which insures that their Whiskey is in fighting form yet not too hot; and I like the complexity of flavors that seem to come swirling around the tongue and building off of one another. It’s lively Whiskey to be sure. So it might be needless to say that anybody who already knows this Bourbon will likewise be a fan of the Beltramo’s selection, but for those who haven’t yet tried Eagle Rare, let me be the one to convince you that this particular barrel chosen by our Spirit’s Buyer is the stuff that Bourbon-soaked dreams are made of.

Eagle Rare Beltramo’s Single Barrel Select 10yr Bourbon ($24.89)

Nose: Caramel, wheat, and a delicate spice aroma.

Taste: Though light in body, it’s still tongue-coating and complex with spice, leather, and vanilla. This barrel of Eagle Rare is drier than the past few bottling we’ve had at Beltramo’s. It still has Bourbon sweetness, but this fades quickly into more woody flavors, leaving a nice warming feel from notes of cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, and a hint of clove that flows into a medium-long finish. The nip of the spiciness definitely crosses into Rye territory here. Notes of grain and leather throughout.

With the addition of water, I found that the vanilla and caramel notes were enhanced, but I was pleased to find that the spicy qualities did not subside at all. Great on the rocks too, with the cool from the cubes melting at the heat from that pepper and cinnamon. This also brings out a luscious malty character and the taste of black licorice.

This Eagle Rare Single Barrel lends itself nicely to mixing for cocktails, especially the Manhattan, because of the nuanced spice notes and its dry-meets-sweet nature. Try this one on for size next time you’ve got a hankering for a cocktail that’s elegantly simple in its parts, yet rewards you in bounds with flavors:

•  2oz Eagle Rare Beltramo’s Single Barrel Select Bourbon
• 1/2oz Cocchi Vermouth di Torino ($12.99)
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters
• Cherry or twist of orange optional

The way the Eagle Rare and the Cocchi combine is sublime. The Vermouth and the Bitters do their proper job of elevating the Bourbon and letting it stand tall.

So there you are, whether you like your Whiskey neat, on ice, or with a supporting cast of characters, this batch of Eagle Rare is a gem. Raise a glass and sip heartily, my friends.

Neal F., Beltramo’s Spirits Staff

By definition, this titan among beverages must be American, it must be at least 51% corn (with any variety of grains making up the remainder of ingredients), and it must be aged in new-fill charred American oak barrels for a minimum of four years in order to legally be called Bourbon Whiskey. Those barrels give Bourbon much of its depth by contributing luscious caramels and vanillas, notes of toastiness/leather/tobacco, and a whole host of other dynamic flavors. The requirement that corn be the key ingredient gives Bourbon its uniquely American character which separates it from the other Whiskeys out there. But it’s that age restriction that we should focus on here. Any of that Bourbon that you have right now – either in your liquor cabinet, at the ready behind the bar, or in a glass nestled in your hand – began its journey a minimum of four years ago. By extension, if you have in your possession a bottle marked with a ten, it was put into a barrel in 2001 at the latest, and so on.

This means that the reason some supplies are scarce is due to a complex balance between supply, demand, and foresight. The case is simply that those distillers making the Whiskey that is currently unavailable had no idea that these Bourbons would be so popular. For companies making Bourbons with ages ranging from four years all the way past twenty years old, it would be near impossible to predict in the 1980’s and 1990’s that they should be distilling so much more liquor for the high demand that we’re seeing today.

I’m getting away from myself though. I’m not really here to lecture you on the art of distilling Whiskey. I’m here to celebrate, and hopefully to bring ease to your minds. The fact is that because we live in America where Bourbon is a domestic product, and because there has been somewhat of a distilling renaissance in recent years, there is a plethora of Bourbons out there that are mind-blowingly delicious and affordable. So let’s take a look…

Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18 Year ($48.89): Incredibly smooth, rich, and dark. This Bourbon has so much caramel that you might think you’re in a candy shop. The sweetness is subtly smoky and nutty. Very long finish here. There are also hints of toffee and chocolate that make it perfect for enjoying after dinner in lieu of dessert.

Black Maple Hill 16 Year ($124.99): More deep, dark caramels in this Whiskey, this time accompanied by a little fruitiness and peppery spice. The wood has a strong presence in this Whiskey, lasting all the way through the finish.

Rowan’s Creek ($36.99): This is a Whiskey that puts the char of the barrels on center stage. Dark sugary flavors with toasted wood. There is a nice taste of honey to this one with slight floral notes as well. The finish is smooth vanilla and more tasty char!

The Jefferson’s Bourbon line (Very Small Batch $29.79, Reserve $48.99, 18 year $89.99): I can’t speak highly enough of this family of Whiskies. As far as flavor goes, it has everything I want and more, and there is an offering for every price point to boot. The Small Batch is a perfectly smooth everyday-kind-of-Bourbon with flavors of corn, vanilla, and soft fruit. The Reserve has a great nose with complexity from the different grains coming through with a taste that balances fruit and spice. The 18 year old remains one of the best Bourbons I’ve ever tasted with soft wood notes, fruit jam, leather, caramel, and cream.

I’m not saying that any of these Bourbons can replace one that you already love – all Bourbons are different and true unto themselves. What I am saying, though, is that there are a lot of superb Whiskies out there right now and many should not be missed or overlooked (or overshadowed by Bourbons that have stronger name recognition). So get out there and explore some new Bourbon frontiers! And who knows, you might find a new favorite.

Neal F., Beltramo’s Spirits Staff