A little background
Bottled at a commanding 130.7 proof (65.35% ABV) and retailing for around $220, Rare Perfection 10 Years Old is a high-octane, decade-aged bourbon from Preservation Distillery. The mash bill is undisclosed, but the character in the glass speaks clearly to a well-aged Kentucky-style whiskey with serious barrel influence. At this price point and proof, Rare Perfection 10 Years Old is squarely positioned as a premium, collector-tier pour aimed at serious bourbon enthusiasts.
Preservation Distillery describes Rare Perfection 10 Years Old as exactly what the name implies — a pursuit of perfection through time and craft. Ten years in the barrel at full barrel strength has produced a whiskey with a rich leather color and a presence that commands attention before you even bring it to your lips. The question is whether the full package lives up to the lofty expectations the name and the price tag set.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Rich leather
| Mash Bill | Nose | Taste | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | Baking spices, honeysuckle, aged oak, orange zest, black pepper | Butterscotch, orange creamsicle, toffee, seasoned oak, cracked pepper | Cocoa nibs, rye spice, seasoned oak, orange zest, leather, honeysuckle |
In closing
At the end of the day, Rare Perfection 10 Years Old is a tale of two acts — and the first act is genuinely spectacular. The nose on this bourbon is among the best you’ll encounter at any price point: layered, expressive, and completely heat-free despite the 130.7 proof. Baking spices, honeysuckle, orange zest, and aged oak make every sniff feel like a reward. The palate opens just as promisingly, delivering rich butterscotch, orange creamsicle, and a velvety texture that grabs your attention immediately. But the momentum doesn’t hold — the sweetness fades faster than expected, giving way to oak and tannins that dominate the back half and finish. The finish itself is long and warm, but drying in a way that highlights tannins more than complexity.
At $220, Rare Perfection 10 Years Old is a tough sell for anyone outside of dedicated barrel-strength collectors. The nose alone could justify the price of admission for some — it’s that good. But when the palate and finish don’t quite match that promise, it’s hard to call this a slam-dunk value in a market where strong competition exists at lower price points. If you’re a nose-forward bourbon lover or a collector chasing something genuinely unique, Rare Perfection 10 Years Old deserves a place on your radar. Everyone else may want to pour a sample before committing.
Rare Perfection 10 Years Old
The Good
- Incredible nose
- Palate is heavy and creamy
The Bad
- Finish is dry
- Cost of the bottle
