Hunting Unicorns: The top 10 rarest American whiskeys in the world (part 2)

In case you missed our first installment of Hunting Unicorns, feel free to read part 1 here.

So we've covered a few of the big names, the heavy-hitters, some of the rarest, most-sought-after and hardest-to-find bourbon and rye whiskeys anywhere in the world. Now what? Well, we start on the next 5 rarest bourbon and rye whiskeys in the world! Below are five of our absolute favorite drops, some of the most enigmatic, elusive and exceptionally excellent bottles money can buy.

Elmer T Lee 90th Anniversary

One of the most highly regarded and critically acclaimed bourbon whiskeys to be produced by Buffalo Trace, Elmer T Lee’s standard Sour Mash Bourbon is hard enough come by, let alone the uber limited edition commemorative releases that they celebrate milestones with.

While the 100 Year Anniversary bottle is more widely known as one of the rarest and most exclusive bourbon whiskeys to come out of the realm of Kentucky bourbon, the 90th Anniversary is much hard to come by, and has solidified its place in folklore as one of the most elusive, exclusive and highly sought-after bourbons in the world.

Expect a generous, silky smooth mouthfeel and lashings of succulent flavor spanning vanilla, caramel and toffee, as well as nuanced hints of butter, oak and light citrus. Signed by Elmer T. Lee himself, this bottle is the definition of collector's item, and is likely a bottle that even the most seasoned connoisseurs will never set eyes upon in their lifetime.

Rare rating: 10/10

Where to find?

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

What a gift this would be… Released in ridiculously limited numbers just once a year, the ‘birthday’ bourbon moniker is incredibly fitting, commemorating founder, George Garvin Brown’s birthday. Old Forester’s most exclusive bottling has a new iteration each year, and each year is entirely different to the last.

As with any annual release, there is a finite number of bottles in circulation, and as a result, there is an extremely high level of demand and an increasing appetite for each year’s vintage. Whenever a new release is announced, the previous year’s release appreciates in value - so collectors will be hard-pressed to find older vintages and competition is high for each upcoming version.

The 2020 vintage release for example, is made from a single batch distilled on a single day from a grand total of 93 barrels. Beautifully balancing soft butterscotch, subtle hints of banana, oak and some nuanced citrus, it is deliciously appointed and swimming with complex yet majestically balanced flavor profiles.

A must-own for Kentucky whiskey purists, the bottle is an eye-catching centerpiece for any collection that will be a talking point for anyone who knows whiskey.

Rare rating: 9/10

Where to find?

Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash

With only 273 bottles made available to the public, Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash is a challenger for the most limited bottle on this list, owing its extreme exclusivity to Master Distiller Willie Pratt and his meticulous and unwaveringly dedicated approach to blending the finest barrels in the Michter’s distillery.

This blended Kentucky Whiskey combines a number of the best barrels produced by Michter’s, all of which are aged for a minimum of 20 years, with some aged more than 30 years, to produce a flavor profile unlike anything else in circulation. As you can imagine, whiskeys of this age lend themselves to extremely limited numbers, so it is no surprise that this particular bottle is more than a ‘unicorn’ it is effectively an apparition.

For those who are lucky enough to uncover one in its natural habitat, the opportunity should not be passed up - try or buy, do not squander the chance to enjoy one of the finest bottles that money can offer. It might take deep pockets, but the expense is surely worth the indisputable rarity and exclusivity of a 1/237 drop. 

Cause for celebration, Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash is a bottle to die for.

Rare rating: 10/10

Where to find?

Eagle Rare Double Eagle Very Rare

Iconic and exceptional, for collectors and connoisseurs, this is a statement piece that will impress and inspire. The elegant crystal decanter is a stunningly crafted conversation starter, and the bourbon itself is decadent and magnificently appointed.

Aged for twice as long as the standard Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight, the Double Eagle Very Rare is a 20 year matured bourbon whiskey that is both complex and captivating, beautifully balancing subtle vanilla and caramel notes, a toasted oakiness and a luxurious and sophisticated mouthfeel.

For fans of Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection seeking a little bit more bravado and panache, the Double Eagle Very Rare is a superb addition to any top-shelf, the only difficulty will be sourcing this ever-elusive variety.

Released annually in extremely limited numbers, there have only been 3 full releases in the history of the brand, meaning it is nothing short of an enigma and incredibly difficult to locate. For those who manage this impressive feat, however, the hunt is undoubtedly worth it - a prized possession for any collector or connoisseur with a passion for sublime Kentucky bourbon.

Rare rating: 10/10

Where to find?

O.F.C Old Fashioned Copper Bourbon

Named by Colonel E. H. Taylor in 1870, O.F.C or Old Fashioned Copper has long been a tour de force in Kentucky whiskey folklore. One part myth, one part magic, O.F.C was the ultimate state-of-the-art facility in its era, and has produced some of the finest, most critically acclaimed and most widely celebrated bourbons the world has ever seen.

Produced in incredibly small numbers and bottled in hand-cut crystal decanters, O.F.C’s Buffalo Trace releases are some of the rarest and most refined Kentucky bourbon whiskeys around. Bottled at 90 proof and aged for 25 years, each annual vintage has a character and charisma that is second to none, and a flavor profile that aptly encapsulates the spirit that is O.F.C, known today as Buffalo Trace.

A warm, buttery nose with lashings of cherry, molasses and oak is complemented beautifully by robust caramel, cinnamon and wood tones on the palate, which resounds in a herbaceous, oaky finish that tantalizes and entices the tastebuds.

For many collectors, this is a bottle they will never have the privilege of adding to their collection, however for those that are lucky enough, it is a bottle that they will never forget.

Rare rating: 10/10

Where to find?