Thoughts on Eagle Rare 17?

[trumpstylz]

Compared to other items in the antique collection, particularly this years. Judging based on the qualitiy of the the Eagle rare single barrel, I'm not so sure on this one.

[yountvillewjs]

I had the opportunity to try the 2011 ER17 last week and was rather impressed. Balanced, held the alcohol & wood pretty well. A significant step from from the 10 ER17, which I found to be harsh & astringent. I only bought one (wanted to have all 5) but would probably pick up another based on the initial pour, should I happen across one (affordably).

[JohnHansell]

I've tasted them all, from the beginning. Some of them have been bit too woody, but most of the recent vintages over the past 5 years have been really good! (The "sleeper" of the Antique Collecton.)

[sailor22]

I like all that I have tried. Good juice for sure. But (for me) not worth a premium.

[fishnbowljoe]

I've tasted them all, from the beginning. Some of them have been bit too woody, but most of the recent vintages over the past 5 years have been really good! (The "sleeper" of the Antique Collecton.)

Agree wholeheartedly. I think of the ER17 as a bit of the weak sister of the BTAC, but still a pretty darn good bourbon. I too have noticed a bit less of the "oak and smoke", at least the last couple of years.

I like all that I have tried. Good juice for sure. But (for me) not worth a premium.

Agree, for the most part.

I've had the ER 17 from 2006 up until this year. I passed on this past release. So far. I may still get one, but I'd rather have a WLW for the same price.

[Chris24]

I like ER17. Finished last years bottle pretty quick, I haven't tried this years yet. But it was good enough to pick up a few extras. If I could trade them for a WLW, I probably would. But I only found a precious few so it's not like I had the opportunity to.

I think it's a good bourbon. To each his own.

[RyanL]

I like all that I have tried. Good juice for sure. But (for me) not worth a premium.

[Josh]

I bought a 2008 bottle a couple years ago. Sleeper is a good word. :22: :22: :22: :22: :22: :22:

But YMMV

[RegChumpington]

This year's is far better than last year's IMO, but you can do so much better than it, especially given the price of entry.

[BradleyC]

Am I wrong in loosely viewing ER17 as 90pf Stagg? They come from the same mashbill, they have been the same age for the past few years, and they seem to come from the roughly the same warehouse locations? When given the choice I would certainly pick G Stagg, but I have been known to buy ER and Handy later on in the year after the Stagg and Weller are long gone. In my area, $60-$70 for a good 17 (18) year bourbon is a decent deal. Jeffersons and Vintage 17 both cost more. Willett 17 or 18 is more than twice the price, although it is barrel proof. The only example that I can think of that is less is Elijah Craig 18. I think everyone gets a bit hung up on the fact that the BTAC is all priced the same. I don't necessarily agree with that marketing strategy, but it isn't a deal killer for me. In defense of the 6 year Handy being priced the same as the 18.5 year Stagg, what other options do we have for a barrel proof rye? I don't view the LDI as being in the same category so I don't view that as a viable option. The Bowman rye also isn't really an option since those 3 barrels are already gone. Sure, I would buy more of it if were less expensive, but I am thankful it is on the market. As far as the ER goes: I wish they would drop it from the BTAC and redirect those barrels to increasing the Stagg release. I can bring it down to 90 proof myself if I want a pour of ER17. I think a great replacement for the ER17 would be a barrel proof 14-17 year mashbill #2. Barrel Proof ETL would compliment the lineup nicely.

[p_elliott]

I prefer the ERSB 10/90 to the ER 17 myself.

[AaronWF]

This year's is far better than last year's IMO.

I agree with this. 2011 brings more of a spicy punch to the table than the 2010

In my area, $60-$70 for a good 17 (18) year bourbon is a decent deal. Jeffersons and Vintage 17 both cost more. Willett 17 or 18 is more than twice the price, although it is barrel proof. The only example that I can think of that is less is Elijah Craig 18. I think everyone gets a bit hung up on the fact that the BTAC is all priced the same. I don't necessarily agree with that marketing strategy, but it isn't a deal killer for me. In defense of the 6 year Handy being priced the same as the 18.5 year Stagg, what other options do we have for a barrel proof rye? I don't view the LDI as being in the same category so I don't view that as a viable option. The Bowman rye also isn't really an option since those 3 barrels are already gone. Sure, I would buy more of it if were less expensive, but I am thankful it is on the market.

This sums up my thoughts nicely. I think the ER17 has a pretty unique flavor profile. A good vintage of EC18 can't be beat for the price and I don't think that its affordability makes the ER17 seem over-priced. For me, the Stagg is the absolute star of the BTAC, and is the main culprit in under-valuing the ER17, though I don't find the Stagg and ER17 to have similar profiles.

All told, I think the ER17 is a delicious, unique, nicely aged bourbon that I will over-pay for on occasion. I happen to like it better than this year's WLW.

[gblick]

I've never tried the ER17, or the ER10/90. :blush:

[StraightNoChaser]

Was vastly disappointed in the ER 17. Have had my bottle 1/4 empty for nearly 6 months now. Sigh.

[Bourbon Boiler]

I very much enjoy the ER 17, and have only had the 2011 and 2010 versions. I'm a fan of the 10 year as well. I wouldn't mind it being 10 or 15 points higher in proof, however.

[Ejmharris]

I have an '08 that is in the bunker. I am thinking I will break it out this weekend a little party we are having. What are your thoughts on the '08?

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[wadewood]

I've never tried the ER17, or the ER10/90. :blush:

Let me translate in Gus language...This means I have untold number of bottles of ER 10/101 so why bother with 10/90 and ER17 is just too damn expensive.

[nivto]

price point aside, I actually enjoy the ER 17 more than the 10/90 or the coveted 10/101 :bigeyes:

that is not to say that i'm so thrilled with any of the 3 that I go out of my way trying to find or buy them

[gblick]

Let me translate in Gus language...This means I have untold number of bottles of ER 10/101 so why bother with 10/90 and ER17 is just too damn expensive.

You got it, Wade!

[T Comp]

I have an '08 that is in the bunker. I am thinking I will break it out this weekend a little party we are having. What are your thoughts on the '08?

I bought a 2008 bottle a couple years ago. Sleeper is a good word. :22: :22: :22: :22: :22: :22:

But YMMV

Even though Josh is a man of impeccable taste (or is that "a man wealth and taste" :grin: ) my mileage does vary from him on this one and enjoyed it immensely...as did a few others...and it didn't make it far past Christmas '08 festivities. If I ever find another at a reasonable price I'd be game and curious what I think of it now.

[bad_scientist]

Even though Josh is a man of impeccable taste (or is that "a man of wealth and taste" :grin: )

Josh, you Devil!

[Josh]

Even though Josh is a man of impeccable taste (or is that "a man wealth and taste" :grin: ) my mileage does vary from him on this one and enjoyed it immensely...as did a few others...and it didn't make it far past Christmas '08 festivities. If I ever find another at a reasonable price I'd be game and curious what I think of it now.