Eagle Rare 17 Years 2020 Antique Series

Overview

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old 2020 is a single-barrel bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, released as part of the prestigious 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). This limited annual offering highlights the potential of extended aging on Mashbill #1, though expert reviews note it can veer toward excessive oak influence.

Specs at a glance

Good to know

As part of the BTAC series, this expression draws from Eagle Rare's popular 10-year lineup but pushes aging boundaries, with reviewers observing that the oak from prolonged maturation dominates early but recedes to reveal classic Buffalo Trace corn-driven notes. The 101 proof bottling reflects Buffalo Trace's tradition of high-proof antique releases, though some critics question whether 17 years suits this mashbill better than shorter statements around 14-15 years.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Prominent oak spice and woodiness lead, layered with brown sugar, vanilla, leather, charred cornbread, corn sweetness, and sweet clove.
• Palate: Sweet and slightly drying with cinnamon spice, bruleed vanilla, oak, mocha, dark cherries, and underlying Mashbill #1 corn character; oak mellows to allow bourbon classics to emerge.
• Finish: Oak recedes gently, leaving a balanced aftertaste of spice and subtle sweetness.

Notable details

• Production: Single barrel selection from Buffalo Trace's Warehouse P, emphasizing the distillery's Mashbill #1 for its corn-forward profile.
• Lineage: Eagle Rare, a Buffalo Trace staple known for consistent 10-year and store-pick appeal, elevated in the annual BTAC antique series.
• Comparison: Struggles to distinguish itself amid other 2020 BTAC releases, per reviewers favoring less extended aging.
• Availability: Extremely limited BTAC allocation, far exceeding its $99 MSRP on secondary markets.

"The oak dominates the nose but mellows on the palate and finish, allowing classic Buffalo Trace mashbill notes to emerge." – Whiskey in My Wedding Ring

A solid, if oak-heavy, collector's bourbon best for those who appreciate mature BTAC depth without chasing perfection.

Sources

[1] Whiskeyinmyweddingring – "Eagle Rare 17 Year 2020 Review"

[2] Thewhiskeywash – "Bourbon Review: Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon (2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection)"

[3] Breakingbourbon – "Eagle Rare 17 Year (2020) Review | Breaking Bourbon"

[4] Bourbonbanter – "The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection - EAGLE RARE 17 YEAR OLD"