Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025 Release)

Tasting Notes

• Nose: A powerful, festive aroma of chocolate-covered cherries, cigar boxes, and seasoned oak, with a faint hint of cinnamon and floral violets.
• Palate: Delicate yet dry. It opens with rich caramel and vanilla cream, quickly transitioning into dark plum, roasted almonds, and aged leather.
• Finish: Exceptionally long and "leathery." It lingers with toffee, black tea, and cocoa nibs, finishing with a drying oak spice that never becomes bitter.

Food Pairings

• Savory: Seared Duck Breast with a Raspberry Redux. The acidity of the berries and the gaminess of the duck perfectly complement the dark fruit and tobacco notes of the 101-proof bourbon.
• Cheese: Extra-Aged Gouda or Blue Stilton. The salty, nutty crystals in an aged Gouda harmonize with the "toasted almond" notes found in the whiskey's mid-palate.
• Sweet: Black Forest Cake. The combination of dark chocolate, cream, and cherries mirrors the exact tasting notes of the 2025 ER17.
• The "Collector" Tip: Because this is 101 proof, it does not require water. However, letting the glass "rest" for 15–20 minutes is essential; the oxygen helps break down the tight oak tannins, revealing a much sweeter, creamier mouthfeel.