Buffalo Trace Announces The Release Of Eagle Rare 12 Year Old Bourbon

Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the release today of Eagle Rare 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Rather than being a limited-release, it will become a permanent part of the Eagle Rare Collection, signaling the availability of age-stated bourbons may be on the rise. The release arrives as the distillery concludes a substantial 10-year, $1.2 billion expansion project, an undertaking critical to enabling the production of the new Eagle Rare offering.

“This whiskey represents more than just time in the barrel—it’s the result of years of dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment from our entire team,” stated Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley in a company press release. “The investments we’ve made - in time, resources and effort - have allowed us to explore new possibilities in aging and flavor, and this release is a proud reflection of that journey.”

Eagle Rare 12 Year Old Details And Tasting Notes

Eagle Rare 12 Year Old undergoes a minimum of 12 years of aging – two years beyond the popular Eagle Rare 10 - and is bottled at 95 proof / 47.5% ABV. It uses Buffalo Trace’s low-rye “Mash Bill 1,” which it shares with E.H. Taylor, Bowman Brothers bourbon, and Buffalo Trace’s namesake bourbon, among others.

According to Buffalo Trace Distillery, “Eagle Rare 12 opens with a sweet, oaky aroma and delicate hints of almond. On the palate, it delivers bold complexity, featuring subtle vanilla and toasted oak, leading to a rich, lingering finish with warm notes of toffee.”

The Eagle Rare Legacy

The Eagle Rare brand debuted in 1975 and was created by Master Distiller Charles L. Beam, grandnephew of Jim Beam, for Seagram’s. It was initially a 10-year-old, 101-proof bourbon, in the days when age-statements were common to everyday sipping whiskeys. In 1989, the brand was acquired by Sazerac, and from 1989 to 1992, their whiskey was sourced from Heaven Hill Distillery. In 1992, Sazerac acquired what is now Buffalo Trace Distillery, bringing Eagle Rare production in-house where it has remained ever since.

While the original 101-proof 10-year-old version was discontinued in 2005, Eagle Rare continued under Buffalo Trace, now primarily known for its 90-proof 10-year expression and its single barrel philosophy. The brand currently includes Eagle Rare 10 Year Old, the ultra-premium Double Eagle Very Rare, and the highly exclusive Eagle Rare 25. Additionally, the limited-release Eagle Rare 17 Year Old is a prized component of the annual Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

Eagle Rare 12 Year Bourbon Release

The permanent integration of Eagle Rare 12 Year Old further solidifies the portfolio of both the brand and Buffalo Trace Distillery. Beginning this June, 2025, it will become available to retailers, bars, and restaurants around the country. It has a suggested retail price of $49.99 per 750ml bottle, making it one the most affordable bottles of bourbon on the market with an age statement over 10 years.

Photographs courtesty of Buffalo Trace Distillery.