Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey 2020

17 years. 101 proof. Distilled spring 2002, aged on the first floor of Warehouse P. The 2020 Eagle Rare — one of five annual releases in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

Eagle Rare 17 Year is one of five annual releases in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, alongside George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy, and Sazerac 18 Year. Of the five, Eagle Rare 17 is the most approachable in both proof and style — 101 proof rather than the 120–130 range of the cask-strength BTAC releases, allowing the 17 years of oak maturation to express itself without the intensity of high-proof delivery in the way.

The 2020 was distilled in spring 2002 and aged on the first floor of Warehouse P — a lower warehouse position that experiences more moderate temperature swings than upper floors, producing a slower, more even maturation. The 101 proof and first-floor aging combine to produce the 2020's notably smooth and fruit-forward profile: ripe cherries and vanilla cream on the nose, caramel and coffee on the palate, finishing with oak, pepper, and fresh herbs.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber with deep copper highlights.
• Nose: Ripe cherries, vanilla cream, and oak — the wine-like character Eagle Rare 17 is known for.
• Palate: Caramel and coffee, well-integrated with a warm oak spice and a smooth, approachable delivery for a 17-year expression.
• Finish: Long — oak, pepper, and fresh herbs fading into a clean, satisfying close.

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Distilled: Spring 2002
• Age: 17 years
• Warehouse: Warehouse P, 1st floor
• Proof: 101 (50.5% ABV)
• Size: 750ml
• Release: 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

Explore the full Buffalo Trace collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2020 Eagle Rare 17 compare to the 2019? The 2019 was also distilled in spring 2002, making it a near-sibling vintage. The 2020 was aged on the first floor of Warehouse P; different warehouse positions in 2019 would have produced slightly different maturation conditions. Both are in the same proof range and share the characteristic Eagle Rare 17 profile.
• Why does Eagle Rare 17 have a wine-like character? Extended maturation in new charred American oak at Buffalo Trace's warehouse conditions generates a distinctive ester profile — almond, dried fruit, and a fragrant complexity that reads as almost wine-like. It is one of Eagle Rare 17's most recognized characteristics across vintages.
• How does first-floor aging affect the bourbon? First-floor barrels experience more moderate temperature swings than upper-floor barrels. The result is slower, more even extraction from the wood — producing a smoother integration of oak tannins compared to the more concentrated character of higher-floor selections.
• Is Eagle Rare 17 the most approachable BTAC release? Yes — at 101 proof it is significantly lower than Stagg (130+), WLW (125+), and Handy (125+). For drinkers new to the BTAC, Eagle Rare 17 is the recommended entry point into the collection.