Review #45 Stagg Jr: Bourbon

Score: 8.5 / 10

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The little brother of the George T Stagg Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). While this is still an allocated whiskey, it in no way compares to the prices and rarity of its older brother GTS. However, it has been wildly popular in the recent years after coming to market in 2013 and as always, the store markups and de-shelving continues for this expression. If you need reference the MSRP of this bottle is around $60. Both offerings are barrel proof and come in extremely hot. Generally around 128 – 134 proof.

I’m the type that doesn’t typically add ice to whiskey. I drink it how god and Buffalo Trace intended it! Ha, but seriously this one is hot. Not just in terms of percentage of alcohol, but it actually noses and tastes hotter than other whiskeys typically around this proof. Right to the point where it starts lower my scores on the overall whiskey. Should I add Ice? I’ve found that most full proofs that I add ice to still don’t reveal too much, or at least not enough to make it worth it to taste watered down whiskey and put my drinking on a clock. Lol However, you can try what you like. I think most people are going to toss a cube in Lil’ Stagg.

Stagg Jr Batch 7. 130.0 proof (65% alcohol). Release Fall 2016

Whiskey Review:

Nose: Overall intense heat, brown sugar, molasses, oak, pool / chlorinated water, cherry, sweetness

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Palate: Bottling proof will dictate the intensity of the palate. Even a few points means a lot to a whiskey in this range. Intense brown sugar, black pepper, caramel, vanilla, molasses

Finish: Long and leaves you looking for a chaser if not already seasoned pro. Very hot cracked pepper, leather. Other distinctions on the palette start to fade with the proof.

Score: 8.5

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Notes: Availability? Uncommon - Rare. As I said, these are getting marked up to the moon and getting harder and harder to find. You’ll need to call around or be on the “nice” list for some store owners if you want pay a reasonable price for this one.