Eagle Rare 17 Year Old 2002 Bottled 2019 (75cl, 50.5%)

This is a 17-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon from Eagle Rare, made at the Buffalo Trace distillery in Franklin County. It was distilled in the spring of 2002 and bottled in autumn 2019 at 50.5% ABV (101 proof), in a 750ml bottle. The strength recalls the original Eagle Rare, launched at 101 proof in 1974. The bourbon matured in new white oak barrels with a number 4 char, and was 17 years and 3 months old at bottling. It is part of Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection of annual releases. The nose offers cooked cherries, oak and maple syrup. Cocoa, caramel and oak lead on the palate, and the long finish brings cinnamon, tobacco leaf and spearmint.