Eagle Rare 12
If you’re a fan of age-stated bourbon, Buffalo Trace just gave you another reason to clear some space on your shelf. The distillery behind some of America’s most sought-after whiskeys has officially unveiled Eagle Rare 12, a bold, 95-proof Kentucky straight bourbon that’s now joining the Eagle Rare family as a permanent expression.
The timing is no coincidence. Eagle Rare 12 arrives as Buffalo Trace celebrates the completion of its decade-long, $1.2 billion expansion project—a massive undertaking that added stills, fermenters, and enough rickhouse space to age thousands of barrels for future classics. And this one, it seems, was worth the wait.
“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,” says Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “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
At first glance, Eagle Rare 12 is a natural progression from its 10-year-old sibling, one of the distillery’s best-known workhorses. But don’t let the similar label fool you—this is a deeper dive into complexity. Like its younger counterpart, Eagle Rare 12 is crafted from Buffalo Trace’s Mashbill #1, but the extra time in oak and a slightly higher bottling proof (95 vs. 90) give it a richer, more structured profile. Expect sweet, oaky aromas with almond on the nose, followed by layers of vanilla, toasted oak, and warm toffee on the palate. The finish? Long, smooth, and unmistakably Eagle Rare.
Priced at $49.99, it’s an age-stated bourbon that delivers both prestige and accessibility—something increasingly rare in today’s market. That’s intentional, says Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace.
“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we believe there are no shortcuts to create outstanding whiskey—there is no substitute for quality time spent in the barrel,” Duncan says. “With Eagle Rare, we are always striving but never satisfied, constantly experimenting to enable better-tasting age stated bourbons.”
The Eagle Rare lineup already includes the widely loved 10-year, the ultra-rare 17-year (part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection), and high-end unicorns like Eagle Rare 25 and Double Eagle Very Rare. With the addition of Eagle Rare 12, the brand adds a new anchor point—a bottle with enough complexity for connoisseurs but a price tag that won’t send you into a bidding war on the secondary market (for now).
Eagle Rare 12 will begin hitting shelves, bars, and restaurant backbars in June 2025 in select U.S. markets, with international rollout to follow in fall. And if early interest is any indication, it won’t sit still for long.
