2009 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750ml

2009 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon Description

2009 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old 750ml is an exceptionally collectible Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery and a vintage release from the prestigious Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

Distilled in Spring 1992 and bottled in Fall 2009, this release matured for approximately 17 years and 4 months. It was bottled at 90 proof / 45% ABV, the traditional strength used for Eagle Rare 17 releases before the expression later moved to 101 proof.

The 2009 release came from a remarkably small selection of approximately 39 barrels. The bourbon matured on the third floor of Warehouse K, where more than seventeen years of Kentucky seasons contributed deep oak, caramel, vanilla, leather, fruit, spice, and mature bourbon complexity.

2009 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Key Features

• Producer: Buffalo Trace Distillery
• Brand: Eagle Rare
• Expression: Eagle Rare 17 Year Old
• Collection: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
• Release: 2009
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age Statement: 17 Years
• Actual Age: Approximately 17 Years, 4 Months
• Distilled: Spring 1992
• Bottled: Fall 2009
• Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1
• Proof: 90 Proof
• ABV: 45%
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Batch Size: Approximately 39 Barrels
• Maturation: Warehouse K, 3rd Floor
• Evaporation Loss: Approximately 47.8%
• Country: United States
• State: Kentucky
• Style: Mature, rich, balanced, oaky, fruity, and collectible

2009 Eagle Rare 17 Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla taffy, caramelized almonds, maple sweetness, mature oak, polished leather, soft fruit, and gentle mint.

Palate

Rich and integrated with caramel, vanilla, roasted nuts, summer fruit, cinnamon, mocha, leather, oak, and subtle mint.

Finish

Long and refined with lingering oak, caramel, leather, spice, mocha, vanilla, and mature bourbon sweetness.

17 Years and 4 Months of Maturation

2009 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old exceeded its stated 17-year age requirement, spending approximately 17 years and 4 months in oak before bottling.

Extended maturation created deeper flavors of seasoned oak, leather, vanilla, caramel, spice, roasted nuts, and mature fruit while maintaining the polished balance for which Eagle Rare 17 became known.

Warehouse K Aging

The barrels selected for the 2009 release matured on the third floor of Buffalo Trace Warehouse K. Warehouse location can significantly influence bourbon maturation because temperature fluctuations affect the interaction between the whiskey and the oak.

By the time the whiskey was bottled, approximately 47.8% of the original volume had been lost to evaporation, often referred to as the angel’s share.

A Rare 39-Barrel Release

The 2009 Eagle Rare 17 came from only approximately 39 barrels. That small production contributes significantly to the rarity of surviving bottles today.

Unlike standard Eagle Rare releases, Eagle Rare 17 is released annually as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Each vintage has its own age, barrel selection, warehouse history, and flavor profile, making individual years especially interesting to collectors.

Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1

Eagle Rare 17 is produced using Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1, the distillery’s low-rye bourbon recipe. Long aging allows the corn-driven sweetness and oak influence to develop into mature caramel, vanilla, leather, spice, fruit, and toasted wood flavors.

Why Collectors Want 2009 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old

2009 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old has exceptional collector appeal because it comes from an earlier era of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. It predates the move to the modern 101-proof Eagle Rare 17 bottling strength and represents the historic 90-proof style of the expression.

The combination of a 17-year-and-4-month age, Spring 1992 distillation, small 39-barrel batch, Warehouse K maturation, 90-proof presentation, and vintage-specific Antique Collection provenance makes the 2009 release particularly desirable.

This bottle is especially attractive for buyers searching for vintage Eagle Rare, 2009 BTAC bourbon, old Buffalo Trace whiskey, Eagle Rare 17 Year, collectible Kentucky bourbon, and discontinued 90-proof Antique Collection releases.

Serving Recommendation

Serve neat in a Glencairn or tulip-shaped whiskey glass. At 90 proof, the bourbon can be enjoyed without dilution, although a few drops of water may reveal additional fruit, vanilla, caramel, and spice.

Allow the whiskey to rest briefly before tasting so its mature oak, leather, fruit, nut, and sweet aromas can fully develop.

Food Pairing

Pair with dark chocolate, roasted almonds, pecans, caramel desserts, dried fruit, aged cheddar, smoked meats, or enjoy slowly on its own.

Buyer Note

Because this is a vintage collectible bourbon, buyers should carefully review fill level, capsule and seal condition, label condition, bottle condition, provenance, and overall presentation before purchase.