Blanton’s vs. Eagle Rare: Which Allocated Bourbon Wins the Taste Test?
Key Takeaways:
- Eagle Rare (10 Year) is a better value for a daily sipper, offering deep, aged flavors of oak and leather.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel is the better collectible and gift, famous for its unique bottle and single-barrel variation.
- Both are produced by Buffalo Trace and are highly allocated, meaning they are difficult to find at retail price.
If you are new to the world of bourbon collecting, you will quickly run into two names that seem to be on everyone’s wishlist: Blanton’s Single Barrel and Eagle Rare 10 Year.
Both are iconic. Both are produced by the legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery. And both are frustratingly hard to find on store shelves. But if you have the chance to buy one, which should you choose?
At Wooden Cork, we have sold thousands of bottles of each. Here is our breakdown of how they compare in taste, value, and collectibility.
The Tale of the Tape
| Feature | Eagle Rare 10 Year | Blanton's Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Guaranteed 10 Years | No Age Statement (NAS), typically 6-8 years |
| Proof | 90 Proof (45% ABV) | 93 Proof (46.5% ABV) |
| Mashbill | Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 (Low Rye) | Buffalo Trace Mashbill #2 (High Rye) |
| Consistency | Highly Consistent | Varies widely from barrel to barrel |
| Best For... | The Daily Sipper | The Collector / Gift Giver |
The Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare is the definition of a classic, aged bourbon. Because it spends a guaranteed decade in the barrel, it draws out deep, rich flavors. Expect heavy notes of toasted oak, leather, dark cherries, and cocoa. At 90 proof, it’s incredibly smooth and approachable.
Blanton’s is a different animal. It uses a higher-rye mashbill, giving it a bit more spice and fruitiness compared to Eagle Rare's darker tones. Expect notes of citrus, honey, caramel, and baking spice. Because every bottle comes from a single barrel, one bottle might be sweeter, while another might be spicier. That variation is part of the fun for collectors.
The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Buy Eagle Rare if: You want a consistently excellent, well-aged bourbon to drink on a Tuesday night. Its 10-year age statement is a remarkable value proposition in today's market.
Buy Blanton's if: You are buying a gift or building a collection. The iconic bottle design, the collectible stoppers, and the thrill of the "single barrel hunt" make it a more exciting purchase.
Can't Find Them? Both bottles are highly allocated and sell out fast. The best way to secure a bottle at Wooden Cork is to check our Rare Collection below.
