Eagle Rare 12: When Will It Hit Shelves—and Will You Actually Find It for $49.99?

Bourbon fans across the country are asking the same questions—when can I find Eagle Rare 12, and will it really cost just $49.99?

We went straight to Buffalo Trace for answers.

They confirmed to BourbonBlog.com that some Eagle Rare 12 has already shipped, though in limited quantities.

We first covered this new 12-year bourbon earlier this week in this story—now we’ve confirmed even more details directly with the distillery and answered your questions below.

From what we understand, it appears to be a staggered release, Buffalo Trace confirms Eagle Rare 12 began shipping to U.S. retailers in June 2025.

While there’s no official list of where it’s landing first, they describe this as a rolling launch—so now’s the time to start looking for it at your local store or bar.

What do you think of the Eagle Rare 12 details so far? Have you spotted it yet, and if so, at what price? Drop a comment below on this link.

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Eagle Rare 12-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey: What We Know So Far

When Will It Hit Shelves?

Bottles have already started shipping in June 2025 from Buffalo Trace, but timing depends on your region.

There’s no national “shelf date,” so it may take weeks or even longer to appear in your area.

Will It Really Be $49.99?

The $49.99 MSRP is real from Buffalo Trace, but final pricing varies by store and state laws. There’s no guarantee it will land at that price everywhere.

How Can I Get a Bottle (or Improve My Chances)?

Check with your local store—especially if they carry Buffalo Trace or other rare bottles—and ask if they’re keeping a list for Eagle Rare 12 and can contact you when it arrives.

We’ll keep you updated with any new information, so sign up for our newsletter for the latest

How Limited Will It Be?

Buffalo Trace tells us Eagle Rare 12 is a permanent addition, but the first year’s supply will be limited. The release coincides with the completion of the distillery’s $1.2 billion expansion, and more volume is expected to be added each year going forward.

Is the 10-Year Being Replaced?

No. Eagle Rare 10 is still in production. The 12-Year offers a slightly older and stronger version (95 proof vs. 90), but both will remain available.

Will It Be Available in My Area?

International distribution is planned for Fall 2025, according to Buffalo Trace.

They don’t release a full list of where Eagle Rare 12 is being shipped first in the U.S., and availability will likely vary by market.

Not the First Rare Bird : A Look Back at the Eagle Rare History

Eagle Rare was first introduced in 1975 as a 10-year-old, 101-proof bourbon (pictured below) created by Charles L. Beam and launched by Seagram’s. Designed to rival bold expressions like Wild Turkey 101, it quickly earned a reputation as a robust, premium-aged bourbon.

In 1989, Sazerac acquired the brand, and by 1992, production shifted to what is now Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.

The original 101-proof version was officially discontinued in 2005, replaced by Eagle Rare 10-Year at 90 proof. From 2005 until around 2017, it was marketed and bottled as a single-barrel bourbon. However, as Buffalo Trace modernized its bottling line, the “single barrel” designation was quietly removed—not due to a change in quality, but because trace mingling between barrels became possible during bottling.

The liquid remains highly consistent, still aged 10 years, and now sits beside the newly launched Eagle Rare 12, released in 2025 at 95 proof.

Eagle Rare 12 Joins the Eagle Rare Collection:

• Eagle Rare 10-Year – Introduced in 2005 at 90 proof, this became the flagship expression after replacing the original 101-proof version that was introduced in 1975.
• Eagle Rare 12-Year – Launched in June 2025 as a permanent 95-proof bourbon aged a minimum of 12 years.
• Eagle Rare 17-Year – First released in 2000 as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, originally 90 proof, raised to 101 in 2018.
• Eagle Rare 25-Year – Debuted in late 2023 as a rare 101-proof release from Warehouse P, with around 200 bottles.
• Double Eagle Very Rare – A luxury 20-year-old bourbon first released in 2019, bottled at 101 proof and packaged in a crystal decanter.