Eagle Rare 12 Becomes a Permanent Release — But Don’t Expect It to Sit on Shelves

In a move that's already stirring up excitement among bourbon fans, Buffalo Trace has officially added Eagle Rare 12-Year-Old to its permanent lineup. That’s right — no more relying on the occasional single barrel pick or special release to get your hands on this age-stated gem.

While the original Eagle Rare 10-Year has long been a staple for those seeking quality bourbon at an approachable proof, the 12-Year brings extra depth and maturity to the table. Still bottled at 90 proof, this new expression leans into richer oak, darker fruit, and a more layered vanilla and caramel profile — the kind of complexity you’d expect from a bourbon that’s spent more time in the barrel.

This announcement also bucks the trend in today’s market, where age statements are often removed to give producers more flexibility. Instead, Buffalo Trace is doubling down, offering transparency and a clear aging commitment that many enthusiasts have been craving.

Now, let’s talk availability. “Permanent” doesn’t mean “plentiful.” Like many of Buffalo Trace’s most beloved bottles, Eagle Rare 12 is still going to be tightly allocated. It’ll show up in select markets at select times — and disappear just as quickly. So if you spot it, don’t hesitate.

Still, the idea of a 12-year Eagle Rare as an ongoing offering is a win for drinkers. It’s a sign that mature, well-aged bourbon isn’t just reserved for limited editions or collectible unicorns. Whether you’re looking to sip something special or just want to see how it stacks up to the 10-year, this one’s worth hunting.

Stay sharp and stay ready — Eagle Rare 12 is officially in the wild.

Stitzel Reserve 24-Year Bourbon: A Legacy Reawakened

There’s aged whiskey—and then there’s time-capsule bourbon.

Stitzel-Weller, the storied Louisville distillery known for its ties to Pappy Van Winkle and wheated bourbon royalty, has just unveiled something truly rare: Stitzel Reserve 24-Year-Old Bourbon, the debut release of a new line that’s making waves across the whiskey world.

A 1999 Time Machine in a Bottle

Distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2024, this 24-year-old bourbon has been resting quietly in Stitzel-Weller’s rickhouses for nearly a quarter of a century. The release marks the beginning of the Stitzel Reserve brand—a new chapter for a distillery that’s more often associated with its past than its present.

And make no mistake: this is not a sourced whiskey slapped with a historic name. The liquid was distilled and aged at Stitzel-Weller itself, a rarity in an age where many heritage brands rely on contract distillation or blending.

What’s Inside the Bottle?

This wheated bourbon comes in at 100 proof, and while specific mashbill details are being kept quiet, it follows the wheated style that helped build the Stitzel-Weller legend. Expect deep oak, dark fruit, and concentrated vanilla and spice, all hallmarks of ultra-aged bourbon when done right.

It’s not over-oaked either—a common risk for bourbons that spend this long in the barrel. Early tasters have noted the balance between structure and elegance, with a surprisingly refined finish for something that’s been in wood since the turn of the millennium.

The Packaging Matches the Prestige

The presentation is exactly what you’d hope for from a release of this magnitude. The bottle features a minimalist yet refined design, housed in a custom box that speaks to the whiskey’s age and provenance without feeling gaudy or overly flashy. It’s clear this isn’t just a collectible—it’s meant to be opened and experienced.

A Limited, But Not Impossible, Find

The Stitzel Reserve 24-Year is priced at $2,500 and is being rolled out in limited markets across the U.S. While the exact number of bottles hasn’t been disclosed, it’s clear availability will be tight. Expect allocations to land at high-end retailers, luxury bars, and whiskey-focused restaurants—with a few lucky collectors possibly scoring one through lottery or club memberships.

Why This Release Matters

This is more than just another ultra-premium bourbon—it’s a statement. Stitzel-Weller hasn’t been a major player in original distilling for some time, and this release signals a potential revival. If the Stitzel Reserve line continues, it could help put this iconic facility back on the map—not just as a piece of bourbon history, but as a distillery that’s shaping its own future.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of dusty bottles, wheated mashbills, or just good storytelling in bourbon, the Stitzel Reserve 24-Year belongs on your radar. Whether you get to taste it or simply admire it from afar, this release serves as a powerful reminder of what happens when time, patience, and provenance all align in a single bottle.

Georgetown, KY Launches "Bourbon Genesis" Campaign to Celebrate Its Place in Whiskey History

Georgetown, Kentucky is stepping into the bourbon spotlight with the launch of its new tourism initiative, Bourbon Genesis — a campaign aimed at celebrating the city’s historical connection to Elijah Craig and the early days of bourbon making.

While Bardstown and Frankfort often get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to bourbon lore, Georgetown is making a compelling case for its own role in the spirit’s origin story. The campaign centers around the story of Rev. Elijah Craig, a Baptist preacher who settled in what is now Georgetown in the late 1700s and began distilling whiskey near Royal Spring — a water source still flowing today in the heart of downtown.

According to local tradition, it was Craig who first aged whiskey in charred oak barrels, producing a richer, darker spirit that many believe became the prototype for modern bourbon. Whether or not he was the true “inventor” of bourbon remains a topic of debate, but Georgetown is leaning into the legacy with a fresh narrative and a tourism push that invites visitors to walk the grounds where it all may have started.

The Bourbon Genesis campaign includes:

• A new historical marker at Royal Spring Park

• Self-guided walking tours focused on Craig’s life and work

• A redesigned tourism experience that connects bourbon history with the town’s shops, restaurants, and scenic downtown

Georgetown officials, tourism leaders, and members of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association were on hand for the unveiling, emphasizing that the initiative isn’t about rewriting history — it’s about reclaiming a story long overlooked.

Whether you’re a history buff, a bourbon fan, or just looking for a new stop on your whiskey travels, Georgetown is offering something different: a quiet, scenic town with a bold claim — that bourbon’s first spark was lit here, on the banks of Royal Spring.

If you’re planning your next Kentucky bourbon road trip, it might be time to make a detour to Georgetown — the birthplace of Bourbon Genesis.