Bourbon collectors love a good chase. And with the release of Eagle Rare 25, Buffalo Trace may have just created the most coveted bottle in American whiskey.
This isn’t your standard Eagle Rare 10, 12, 17-year from the Antique Collection, Double Eagle Very Rare. This is a 25-year-old, single-barrel bourbon—aged longer than most distillers would dare, then bottled in a crystal decanter with sterling silver accents. It’s limited, it’s expensive, and it’s already creating a stir in the bourbon world.
Let’s walk through what makes this bottle such a standout, where you might find one, and whether it lives up to the $10,000 price tag, which by the way, lands it right at the number 3 most expensive bourbon in the world.
What Is Eagle Rare 25?
Eagle Rare 25 is exactly what it sounds like: a quarter-century-old Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace. It was released in late 2023 in extremely limited quantities—just 200 bottles globally. The whiskey comes from barrels that spent over two decades aging in traditional rickhouses before being moved to Warehouse P, a custom-built facility designed to help ultra-aged bourbon retain balance without turning into a tannic oak bomb.
The final product is bottled at 101 proof and comes in a heavy, hand-blown decanter topped with a silver eagle wing. It’s clearly positioned as a statement piece—more in line with something you’d see from The Last Drop or Pappy 25 than anything in the mainline Buffalo Trace portfolio.
Tasting Notes & Flavor Profile
When you hear “25-year-old bourbon,” you might expect something over-oaked and borderline undrinkable. But reviewers say Eagle Rare 25 doesn’t fall into that trap.
According to early tasters, the nose leads with dark cherry, cocoa powder, and a sweet vanilla glaze. The palate brings in soft oak, dried fruit, and butterscotch, with a surprisingly creamy mouthfeel for the proof. The finish is long and spice-forward—think clove, pepper, and old leather—with just enough tannin to remind you this sat in wood for two and a half decades.
Warehouse P’s climate control seems to have paid off: this is a mature bourbon that still manages to feel alive.
How Much Does Eagle Rare 25 Cost?
- Retail price: $10,000 (if you can even find it at retail)
- Secondary market: Rumors of bottles changing hands for $18K to $25K
- Bar pours: Select accounts may offer half-ounce pours ranging from $500 to over $1,000
To put it in perspective, Buffalo Trace’s “Double Eagle Very Rare” 20-year-old release carried a $2,000 MSRP. Eagle Rare 25 is five years older, far rarer, and more than five times the price.
Is Eagle Rare 25 Worth It?
The Case For:
You’re buying a piece of bourbon history—Buffalo Trace has never released anything like this before.
The presentation is top-tier. It’s the kind of bottle that turns heads even among seasoned collectors.
From a flavor standpoint, it’s apparently far more elegant than many other ultra-aged bourbons.
The Case Against:
At $10K, this isn’t an everyday drinker. It’s priced more like art than whiskey.
The secondary market is flooded with fakes—especially when bottles get into five-figure territory.
If you’re looking for the best bang-for-your-buck pour, you can get phenomenal bottles at 1/100th the price.
As a fellow enthusiast told me, “If your 401(k) smells like oak and vanilla, you’re doing it wrong.”
How to Find Eagle Rare 25
The 200 bottles were allocated to top-tier accounts and high-end retailers. Your best bet is to check with luxury spirits shops in major cities, or look for it on the bar list at upscale hotels and steakhouses—Vegas, New York, and LA are your best shot.
Buffalo Trace has also hinted that some bars will be pouring it by the ounce. Expect to pay heavily for the privilege—think $500+ per pour.
If you’re trying to score a bottle on the secondary market, do your homework. Counterfeits are always a risk at this level. Stick with trusted sources or buy from well-vetted collectors.
How It Compares to Other Eagle Rare Releases
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand how ER25 stacks up:
| Bottle | Age | Proof | MSRP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Rare 10 | 10 yrs | 90 | ~$50 | Widely available, classic value |
| Eagle Rare 17 (BTAC) | 17 yrs | 101 | ~$130 MSRP / ~$1,500 market | Annual limited release |
| Double Eagle Very Rare | 20 yrs | 90 | ~$2,000 | Luxe packaging, <2,000 bottles |
| Eagle Rare 25 | 25 yrs | 101 | $10,000+ | One-time release, 200 bottles |
The 25-year isn’t just older—it’s on another planet when it comes to exclusivity and presentation. But for most drinkers, the 10 or 17 will provide plenty of enjoyment without the sticker shock.
Final Thoughts
Eagle Rare 25 is the kind of bottle that gets remembered. Whether you view it as a drink, a flex, or an investment, there’s no denying its impact. Buffalo Trace went all-in on age, packaging, and scarcity—and based on early reviews, they managed to deliver a bourbon that’s not just old, but genuinely exceptional.
If you’re one of the lucky few to try it, savor it. If not, well, there’s always next year’s unicorn.
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