Eagle Rare 17 Year. Just thinking about it, I get a smile on my face. When you get an email from the CEO of BevMo informing you that you’re one of their best customers and that you have a chance to buy this exclusive bottle, you can’t ignore it. (Translation: we already spend plenty of money at BevMo, might as well spend a little more for something extra special).

I found myself in this exact situation September. “Hey, you can buy this.” Consider it bought.

A little background for the uninitiated is in order. Buffalo Trace produces Eagle Rare 17 Year as part of their (understandably award-winning) Antique Collection. Every fall, if you’re a lucky cuss, you can get your hands on a bottle of this. A lucky cuss because they only produce such small quantities. Sadly, you can’t mass-produce excellence like this.

How is it? Oh. Spectacular.

Don’t just take my word for it. It won a bronze medal for an American bourbon whiskey from the World Whiskies Award and a gold medal from the International Wine & Spirits competition.

Tasting? Well, on the nose I got some almond and toasted hazelnuts (I’m not going to say it was because I had some Nutella before, but I’m not going to say it wasn’t). The flavor was pleasantly sweet, vanilla, toffee and mellow spiciness.

I’m not saying run out and buy it if you can find it, because you probably won’t be able to find it. However, if you do happen upon a bottle, then yeah, buy it. If you don’t want it, I’ll take it off your hands.