Sips & Sites & Bites

Buffalo Trace Distillery just raised the bar … again.

In celebration of a decade-long, $1.2 billion expansion, the iconic Kentucky distillery has unveiled Eagle Rare 12, a brand-new age-stated bourbon that bridges tradition and ambition with the kind of confident ease Buffalo Trace has become known for. It’s the latest addition to the Eagle Rare family and marks a moment of arrival … not just for the whiskey, but for the distillery’s next chapter.

While Eagle Rare 10 has long been a staple on the shelves of collectors and casual drinkers alike, the new Eagle Rare 12 leans into deeper, bolder territory. Pulled from Buffalo Trace’s Mashbill #1 … the same foundational recipe used across several of its flagship labels … this bourbon spends a minimum of 12 years aging in hand-picked barrels under meticulous conditions. And unlike the 10-year, this expression clocks in at 95 proof (47.5% ABV), adding intensity without overpowering the signature smoothness that made Eagle Rare famous.

According to Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, this release is more than just a longer rest in oak. “It’s the result of years of dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment from our entire team,” he says. The investments in time and infrastructure … thanks in large part to that massive expansion … have given the distillery new ways to explore aging and flavor like never before.

And the flavor speaks for itself.

Eagle Rare 12 opens with aromas of sweet oak and delicate almond. On the palate, things get richer: subtle vanilla, toasted oak, and a warm thread of toffee that lingers long after your last sip. It’s a layered, approachable pour that feels both elevated and welcoming … a rare balance in the world of premium bourbon.

Global Brand Director Andrew Duncan puts it plainly: “There are no shortcuts to outstanding whiskey.” With Eagle Rare 12, Buffalo Trace isn’t just adding years, it’s delivering a new kind of drinking experience, rooted in patience and precision.

Set for release across select U.S. retailers, bars, and restaurants this June, with international rollout coming this fall, Eagle Rare 12 joins the ranks of Eagle Rare 10, Eagle Rare 17, Double Eagle Very Rare, and the elusive Eagle Rare 25. At a suggested retail price of $49.99, it’s a serious value for a 12-year bourbon from the world’s most awarded distillery.

Bold. Aspirational. And absolutely worth the wait.