George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2017)

BACKGROUND: This bottle was gifted to me by a good friend for Christmas in 2017, and it is opened only on anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. I took it off the shelf today especially for this review. The bourbon’s namesake, George T. Stagg, was a business partner of Col. E.H. Taylor, and together they built the most successful distillery of the 19th Century. Using a mashbill recipe of Kentucky corn, Minnesota rye, and North Dakota malted barley, the bourbon was distilled to 135 proof and entered the barrel at 125 proof in the spring of 2002. Though 2019 is the rare exception, George T. Stagg is usually the highest octane offering in the famed and highly-sought Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. The 2017 offering was bottled at 129.2 proof. It spent more than 15 years and 3 months in barrels from Warehouses C, K, M, and Q. This batch consisted of only 309 barrels, and, as always, it is uncut and unfiltered. NOSE: A wonderful combination of leather and maple syrup. Perhaps a bit of cherry lingers in the background. There is a surprising lack of ethanol given the proof. I would wear this as cologne if I could. PALATE: The maple syrup on the nose converts completely into maple syrup on the palate. I sense some chocolate covered cherries on the tongue, as well. The bourbon is sinfully viscous in texture. It begs the question, “Can a bourbon be called ‘sexy’?” FINISH: The sweetness continues, but there is also some mint on the back of the tongue. Oak flavors develops, as well. Though the finish is a long one, there is no pepper and no bite. FINAL ASSESSMENT: You would think that a bourbon at this proof drinks hotter than a hooker’s door knob on nickel night, but the 2017 George T. Stagg sips easier than Sunday morning. This might not be the absolute best bourbon I have ever sampled, but it is certainly in the top damn three. Since there is no way to replace this bottle, I will be rationing it like I am stranded in the desert with a thimbleful of water. A simply fantastic bourbon experience. It gets the rare five cork pops out of five.

I just accepted a new job offer as Global Head of Data Management for a large pharma/biotech…so, I figured about time to open up one of my best samples I have, courtesy of an online whiskey reviewer from Malt-review.com. I don’t think I’ve ever had a BTAC. Actually, I can definitively say I’ve never had a BTAC. It’s not one of those things that if you’ve had it, you’ll ever forget whether you’ve had it or not. It’s like attending a World Cup game (I’m sure the tickets are as expensive as a BTAC). You won’t ever forget you attended it. I’ve been more and more hesitant to give a perfect 5…I used to give it more often, but I think over the years, it’s rare. I’ll go as high as 4.75, but not a 5. This here is a 5. No question or doubt about it. I was surprised by the nose: freshly cut flowers? Cherries. Nutmeg. Let it sit, and it blooms into more fruit. Mixture of red fruits…and cardamom?!? That’s a welcome change. Taste is just as surprising. Rose water. Oak. Cherries. Wow. I’m getting rose water? Like a Turkish delight…rose water, almonds, fruits. And a hefty dose of oak, like when you’re in an old wooden lodge. This is amazing. I added a few drops of water, and it opened up even more of the Turkish delight flavors. Not sure if I’d ever buy a bottle…I’m always hesitant to shell out this much money on distilled corn water (albeit, one of highest quality) , but I’m so very thankful to Taylor at Malt-review.com for sharing a sample! One of the best whiskeys I’ve had to date.

From the moment it hits your nose, you know you’re in for a treat. Cherry, raisins, vanilla, and oak. No ethanol burn, despite its lofty proof. I don’t remember it being like this when I first cracked the bottle, but tasting it now after it has breathed for a few months, it is almost syrupy... I recall it being a bit more brash. But now it’s like an energetic puppy that has grown up a little bit and settled down, and it’s truly fantastic in its maturity. Layer upon layer of flavor - starting off sweet, cherry, chocolate, and moving into oak, leather, tobacco, cinnamon spice... it’s rich and full and complex. The heat starts to catch up a little on the back end, and the long finish ultimately winds up at a slightly bitter yet pleasant note - think roasted coffee. It’s unfair how little of this there is to go around because it’s a truly spectacular pour.

Nose- Musty leather initially; powdered sugar; fruit punch candies; vanilla cake; maple syrup; aged, funky oak; sweet caramel Palate- Wave of drying leather; grassy-earthy note; aged oak; red licorice; deep caramel; cherries; cinnamon; vanilla Finish- Long, drying and mouth coating; Rich oak; cherry syrup; vanilla bean Everything I expect from a Stagg. Big, bold, and full of oak and fruit. The heat is a little intense at times, but it’s overall very balanced and tasty. The nose is to die for. Incredibly complex and a bouquet of aromas. The palate isn’t quite up to the level of the nose, but it’s still great. Bold, a bit hot, and full of leather, oak, fruits, and red licorice. The finish is, as all staggs are, long. Tons of oak with some cherry syrup and vanilla bean. Not as good as the 2018, but still quite a fantastic bourbon.

Nose: sweet leather, maple syrup, and a hint of some berries. Strawberry, maybe? Very aggressive, because of the high proof. But, once you get past the alcohol, you're rewarded with a very pleasant, strong leather and maple syrup combo. Enjoyed taking my time nosing this one. A drop of water REALLY brought out the maple syrup. It also brought a hint of oak. Taste: very tannic and strong. Oak and a little bit of sweet. After a drop of water, the maple syrup comes out in the taste. The bourbon calms down a bit and becomes more enjoyable on the palate. Finish: looooooong. My wife got mint; I did not. I got some baking spices and I'm not sure what else :) overall, the finish was pleasant and rewarding.

What a nose. Intense leather, spice cake, maple syrup, woodsy oak, pipe tobacco, black cherry, vanilla extract, cinnamon rolls. Every freakin time I put down the glass and pick it back up again it gets more complex. This is intoxicating. Wow! I'm not getting much heat on this which is amazing. It lets all the flavors just dance on my tongue and it is super smooth. Vanilla, charred oak, cherry pie, maple syrup, cinnamon, all intense and evolving. This is just straight up delicious bourbon. Attempting to savor it...