Eagle Rare 17 Year 2023: The One Bottle You’ll Regret Passing Up
In the world of rare bourbons, a few bottles always stir the pot. Some raise eyebrows. Others spark bidding wars. But every once in a while, one bottle hits all the right notes without shouting for attention. That’s exactly what the 2023 Eagle Rare 17 Year did—and if you blinked, you may have missed it.
This isn’t about flashy packaging or gimmicky flavor infusions. It’s about old-school aging, expert blending, and a release that speaks louder in the glass than it does on a shelf. The 2023 edition is part of the revered Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and while it shares the spotlight with some heavy hitters, this year’s Eagle Rare managed to carve its own space quietly—but confidently.
What Makes the 2023 Bottle Different
Let’s start with the obvious: the 2023 Eagle Rare 17 Year was bottled at 101 proof, a notable drop from the usual 101–107+ range seen in past years. That may have raised eyebrows at first, but it didn’t take long for seasoned sippers to realize—this bottle doesn’t need a high proof to make a statement.
Aged for 17 years and 3 months, it’s one of the longest-matured Eagle Rare expressions released to date. That extended time in oak brings depth, but not the bitterness you might expect. The balance is key—flavors of dark cherry, leather, and spiced vanilla roll in smoothly. It has weight without heaviness. It finishes with purpose, not power.
And that’s what makes it a standout. It’s bold without being brash. Aged without being tired. It’s the bourbon equivalent of someone who doesn’t need to raise their voice to be heard.
Too Quiet for the Crowd?
In 2023, a lot of attention was drawn to other bottles in the Antique Collection. George T. Stagg returned strong. William Larue Weller made noise with its intensity. But the 2023 Eagle Rare 17 Year played the long game. It didn’t grab headlines. It landed in private groups, quiet auctions, and backroom shelves—and then disappeared.
That’s the catch: it wasn’t hyped the way other bottles were, but it was the one most people regretted not grabbing. With only limited allocation and growing demand from collectors, its value started rising almost instantly.
Some even compared its character to classics like the Very Very Old Fitzgerald 'Bottled in Bond' 12 Year Bourbon, known for its quiet complexity and traditional feel. That’s not a comparison made lightly—and it shows just how highly this bottle ranks among seasoned tasters.
What It Tastes Like (And What It Doesn’t)
Let’s not overthink it. This isn’t a bottle that needs a dozen tasting notes. It’s warm but not hot. Complex but not chaotic.
You’ll find:
● Caramelized oak
● Dried orchard fruit
● A touch of tobacco
● Hint of orange peel
● Long, slow fade of leather and cocoa
What you won’t find is over-oaking, bitterness, or astringency. Despite the age, the oak behaves itself. It supports the flavor, doesn’t drown it.
And at 101 proof, it’s incredibly drinkable neat—no water or ice required. That alone makes it an outlier in a sea of high-proof bruisers.
The Collector’s Conundrum: Open or Hold?
There’s a growing debate in bourbon circles: drink it now or save it for later?
The 2023 Eagle Rare 17 Year adds to that tension. It’s aged just right. It drinks beautifully now. But the resale value has climbed, and many bottles are being tucked away unopened.
Here’s the thing—drinking it doesn’t feel wasteful. It feels like honoring the craft. But saving it? That’s a strategic move. Especially as future releases continue to fluctuate in both flavor and proof.
Either way, this bottle wins.
The Quiet Star of 2023
What makes this bottle matter isn’t just the age or the proof. It’s the restraint. The confidence. The way it hits that perfect midpoint between everyday drinker and investment piece.
Other bourbons might shout. This one speaks.
If you skipped the 2023 Eagle Rare 17 Year, you may not realize it until next year—when the secondary market surges, or when someone finally cracks theirs open and you get a taste. Then comes the regret.
And let’s face it: few bourbon regrets hit harder than the one that got away.
Too Rare to Sip? Maybe Not Here
Some bourbons whisper their legacy. The 2023 Eagle Rare 17 Year did just that—and then vanished into private shelves and quiet pours.
But if there’s one place still worth checking? It’s Fine Liquors. This isn’t your average bottle shop. It’s where rare means real—Pappy, BTAC, Dusties, and those near-impossible finds that feel like myths everywhere else.
Missed the drop? Don’t miss what’s coming next. Because at Fine Liquors, the rare stuff doesn’t just pass through—it stays long enough to be found.