Shop

    Eagle Rare Wins Sip’s Fan-Voted Bourbon Bracket (Here’s Why)

    •04/05/23
    Article written by:
    Eagle Rare Wins Sip's Fan Voted Bourbon Bracket

    (photos by Brandon Chesbro: Outsider)

    Sip Outsider pitted 32 of biggest names in bourbon against each other in a fan-voted best-bottle bracket. After thousands of votes were cast via Instagram and Twitter, one bottle emerged victorious: Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon.

    During its championship run, Eagle Rare defeated Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Col. E.H. Taylor, and Blanton’s. Not exactly lightweights. So what is it about the Eagle that makes it such a fan favorite?

    Let’s get sipping to see why the Eagle soars.

    Eagle Rare: At a Glance

    • Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
    • Location: Frankfort, KY
    • Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
    • Age: 10 Years
    • Proof: 90
    • MSRP: $35 (but Eagle routinely costs $50+)
    • Website | Instagram | Twitter

    The nose on Eagle Rare opens like a bouquet of in-season fruit blossoms, with plenty of sweet cherry, pear, and apricot. There’s nary a hint of ethanol. Instead, it’s just the mellow sweetness of fruit with a touch of caramel and light oak. Initially, the palate follows suit with notes of fruit (mainly cherry), oak, and light brown sugar. A little bit of chewing reveals a touch of white pepper and piney citrus, which, together with the aforementioned cherry and brown sugar, evokes an herbal fruit tea. Enjoyable, to say the least.

    And really, my only quibble is the fleeting finish, which doesn’t give you much time to discern or relish the modicum of light cinnamon heat and raw almond. Instead, it immediately beckons you to sip again and again. Of course, that’s not a bad predicament with a full bottle on hand.

    Is this bottle overly complex? Nah. But it’s even-steven. And there’s something to be said for that, especially in a room full of guests with varying palates from newbie to expert. Many times, even-steven wins the day (or night). In the case of Sip Outsider’s bourbon bracket, even-steven wins the month. Congrats, Eagle. And thanks for voting.

    32 Bottle Bracket (click the bourbon below for Sip Reviews)

    1. Col. E.H. Taylor Small Batch
    2. Old Grand-Dad 114
    3. Stagg Jr.
    4. Crown Royal
    5. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof
    6. Redwood Empire Lost Monarch
    7. High West Double Rye
    8. 1792 Small Batch
    9. Old Elk Wheated
    10. Willett Pot Still
    11. Henry McKenna
    12. Woodford Reserve
    13. Garrison Brothers Small Batch
    14. New Riff Rye
    15. Four Roses Single Barrel
    16. George Dickel 8 Year
    17. Old Forester 1910
    18. Maker’s Mark Special Reserve
    19. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
    20. Buffalo Trace
    21. Eagle Rare
    22. Bulleit Rye
    23. Bourbon Company Original
    24. WhistlePig PiggyBack 6
    25. Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered
    26. Benchmark Full Proof
    27. Elijah Craig Small Batch
    28. Larceny Barrel Proof
    29. Blanton’s Single Barrel
    30. Basil Hayden
    31. Weller Special Reserve
    32. Blue Note Uncut