Rapid City, SD – Local whiskey enthusiasts are buzzing after a recent taste test revealed a surprising discovery about two beloved bourbons: Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace. Despite being produced by the same distillery, using the same mash bill, and being aged to nearly the same length, the two bourbons taste vastly different.
On the latest episode of the podcast Whiskey@Work, hosts Mark and Rob decided to compare the two whiskeys side by side, expecting only subtle differences. Instead, they found that Buffalo Trace, which is aged for 7 to 9 years and comes in at 90 proof, had a noticeably stronger bite compared to the smoother, more refined flavor of Eagle Rare, aged at least 10 years and also at 90 proof.
“You can taste the bite in the Buffalo Trace, while the Eagle Rare is just… smoother,” Rob remarked during the tasting. The revelation left both hosts scratching their heads, with Mark admitting, “It almost doesn’t make sense. You’d think they’d be much closer in taste, but they’re worlds apart.”
The hosts speculated on possible reasons behind the unexpected difference, considering factors such as barrel aging techniques, warehouse locations, and minor variations in distillation. Despite sharing the same mash bill—known as Mash Bill #1, a low-rye bourbon—the subtle differences in aging seem to dramatically impact the final flavor profiles.
The puzzling contrast between Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace has sparked curiosity among local bourbon fans, many of whom are now inspired to conduct their own taste tests. Whether it’s the extra few years of aging or some other unknown factor, one thing is clear: two bourbons that look identical on paper can taste surprisingly different.
