Spirits Archivist
Feb 17, 20212 min
Eagle Rare 10 yr. 101 Decanter No. 3 - 1981 - 50.5%
I've wanted to try Lawrenceburg Eagle Rare for a long time - one of the dusties old-school bourbon hounds swear by. Unfortunately, even Frankfort 10 yr, 101 proof bottlings priced me out years ago. Being a decanter, this one gets an asterisk. But if it doesn't totally bomb, I may just check it off the bucket list anyway and save myself the money/hassle. This bottling would've been distilled by Seagram's at what is now Four Roses as a direct competitor to Wild Turkey. If it even remotely competes with the 1981 Turkey decanter I tried, I'm going to be happy.
Nose: Rich candy bar. Vanilla. Dark chocolate truffle. Caramel. Old wood. Raspberry gel. Fresh paint.
Flavor: An oak show through and through. Vanilla. Lots of black tea. Raspberry truffles. Chocolate. Nuts.
Structure: Slow succession of waves in the finish. It’s long. Touch sticky, but can read thin mid-palate. Takes it’s time, but the intensity really builds.
Proof Integration: Nose is a little spirit-y, otherwise it’s good.
Score: 8 (Stash One) These old profiles are just different. There’s a brightness in most contemporary bourbon that rarely allows for these dark, aged notes. I’m a sucker for it. Not quite on par with my favorite Turkey decanter, but definitely one of the better decanters I've tried.
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20-30 yr. L'Encantada Selections - for that older style of oak and barrel sweets.
Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour