George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2024)

I celebrated hard internally when I scored the opportunity to buy not just this but a bottle of Pappy's 15 (review to come at a later date). I waited almost a year before I felt it was time to give this bottle of GTS a more serious/accurate review. Reading the label and discovering the soaring abv was quite intimidating. After experimenting, I decided the best way to enjoy this IMO was to add several drops of some ultra filtered RO water. This allowed me to focus more on the complexities within without any fiery distractions. The nose was freshly torched creme brulee with a dash of cinnamon. A hint of orchard fruit as well emerged. It took 2 sips to get past the ethanol diversion. After that, prominent notes of tobacco and leather introduced themselves first. After that pleasant handshake, my palate conversed with pleasant flavors of vanilla pudding swirled with caramel heated with oak. Brief fruity encounters occurred as well that I couldn't really pinpoint. The finish was lovely and long and ended with an interesting grain and earthy aftertaste. This was one hell of a offering from Buffalo Trace. I see why it's made in limited quantities. The hype is quite real. If you can withstand higher ABV and afford the purchase, I highly recommend getting a bottle at least once. You will not regret it.

Nose - This nose is giving me a lot of fruit. Some apple, grape, bright blackberry, alongside some vanilla. There is also a little breadiness to this, almost very charcuterie like. Some baked honey and vanilla lingers around the fruit, adding more to the idea of a wine spread. Palate - So off the bat notice a lot more oak than ‘23. However, theres a lot of light custard, vanilla, tobacco, and cherry notes that compliment it sooo nicely. There adds some barrel spice and black pepper in a very comfortable way. Finish - The finish pairs fantasticly with the palate. The transfer is seamless and not as harsh as the proof may suggest. It goes from that light barrel spice back into a vanilla and down into a cinnamon before disipating into a medium comfortable hug.

Nose: toasted walnuts and carmel drizzle over a campfire Flavor: rhe flavors smack you jn the face in the best kind of way. The flavors are very loud compares to orher high end bourbon but not without pleasant complexity. Its sweet pilloncillo with toasty wood (not necessarily oak but its hard to put my finger on) and anice. Higher heat. The longer you linger with it it layers on peaches abd cream. Finish: under current (wich is loud but relative to other flavors) learhery campfire smoke. Long lingering with heat and star anice and allspice.

2024 GTS comparision Nose: sweet caramel, vanilla, rye spice, confectionery sugar Palette: very dry, raisin and fig, burnt brown sugar, molasses, spearmint on the back end with oaky tannins lingering. Not as complex as the 2025, but well balanced, full flavor, solid oak

Tons of flavor! Cinnamon early that persists throughout. Tobacco. Some vanilla. Then chocolate covered cherry, which lingers along with the cinnamon

More buttery and less fruity than last year, sadly. Those two usually don’t mix well. Also ran hot, which is rare for me.