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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Comparing Eagle Rare 12 Year and Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$45 – $55 ~$15 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak.
- Go with Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon).