20 years. Hand-cut crystal decanter. Buffalo Trace's most prestigious annually released expression — the apex of the Eagle Rare family. The 2023 release of Double Eagle Very Rare continues the tradition of presenting Buffalo Trace's finest 20-year barrels in a purpose-designed crystal decanter housed in a custom display case.

Double Eagle Very Rare takes the Eagle Rare legacy to its most elaborate presentation point: 20 years of maturation from Buffalo Trace's finest selected barrels, individually numbered, presented in a hand-cut crystal decanter that is itself a significant collectible object. The 2023 reflects Buffalo Trace's annual selection of 20-year barrels at their peak — the same distillery that produces George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, and the full BTAC lineup, applying that same standard of excellence to a prestige annual format.

At 20 years, the Buffalo Trace high-rye mashbill has achieved full integration: the grain spice absorbed into the oak structure, the caramel and vanilla deepened beyond what any younger expression can match, and a dried fruit complexity that only two full decades of Kentucky barrel cycling produces. The hand-cut crystal and individual numbering make each Double Eagle bottle a complete provenance document and collectible object in one.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Very deep amber displayed beautifully in the hand-cut crystal decanter.
• Nose: Caramel, dried fruit, aged leather, and deep oak — the 2023 barrel selection at 20-year maturity.
• Palate: Rich and concentrated — dark fruit, warm spice, vanilla, and the deep oak integration of two decades in Buffalo Trace's finest barrels.
• Finish: Extraordinarily long — the quarter-century heritage of the Eagle Rare family at its most evolved.

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 20 years
• Presentation: Hand-cut crystal decanter, custom display case, individually numbered
• Release: 2023 annual
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2023 compare to the 2021 and 2022 editions? Each annual Double Eagle release draws from a different selection of 20-year barrels, reflecting that year's peak maturity selection by Buffalo Trace's master distiller. The 2023 is the most recent edition and reflects the current state of Buffalo Trace's 20-year inventory.
• How does Double Eagle relate to Eagle Rare 17 Year BTAC? BTAC Eagle Rare 17 Year is uncut at natural barrel proof — the raw barrel-strength version. Double Eagle is 20 years in an elaborate crystal presentation — the prestige-format version. Different approaches to what extended Eagle Rare maturation can achieve.
• Is Double Eagle Very Rare released every year? Yes — Buffalo Trace releases Double Eagle annually in extremely limited quantities. Each year is individually numbered and reflects that year's 20-year barrel selection.
• Is the 2023 Double Eagle still available? Yes — the most recent edition, available now.