Stagg Jr Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 16

Just got this from the PLCB from their special whiskey releases of the year. Names usually include the usual Buffalo Trace suspects except for Pappy, which gets it's own. These emails hit your computer and you have but so many seconds to click on the link to get on the system and see what is included in the release and the pricing...so naturally scoring something is pure happenstance. After winning a Col E H Taylor 4 Grain from a PLCB Lottery back in 2018 (winning means buying at MSRP), I have been unable to snag much of anything from these non-lottery special releases which are strictly online and are gone in the blink of an eye. Did manage to get 2 Weller Special Reserves once but nothing more. I haven't opened this but have tasted the Batch 16 elsewhere and like all Staggs the proof is in the pudding ... or vice versa in this case. I have to agree with the reviewers who claim this is strong proof but doesn't set your esophagus on fire as other high proof bourbons routinely do. IMHO, the mark of a great Bourbon such as this is exactly that. Smooth with high proof is often difficult to achieve in a finished product straight from the barrel. I am a happy man. I prefer this to ECBP and for me it comes close to the EC 18yr in terms of outright enjoyment, though the EC18 is very special. Nothing quite captures the strength and taste of wood barrel like that whiskey. Perhaps a good deal of said enjoyment is the satisfaction of actually having a bottle to drink. LOL. $54.99 at the PLCB but ridiculously priced elsewhere considering the production.

Nose is pungent and fruity with apple, berry, raisin, date, and plum all covered with vanilla icing. Additional notes of caramel, cinnamon, and oak. Very Buffalo Trace in the sense of fruit+vanilla+oak. Ethanol is ridiculously low given the proof. Palate is a little less sweet than the nose would indicate but still offers fruit with a dark twist in the form of blackberry, fig, black cherry, concord grape, and black currant. Vanilla/caramel from the nose provides a base for the fruits to shine. Flavors are super punchy. Finish brings plenty of heat along with pomegranate, fresh oak, black pepper, cherry, cinnamon, leather, and tobacco. There’s a blackberry note from the palate which lingers all the way through the finish which I enjoyed. Mouthfeel is where this one lacks a little; medium bodied and while I wouldn’t go so far as to call it grainy it is a little on the sharp side. A superior bourbon with only minor flaws and a great example of the Buffalo Trace profile turned up to 11 which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but given the popularity of BT products seems to be favored more often than not. I managed to snag this one at straight retail of $59.99 way back in 2021, a feat that is laughable in today’s market. I feel that rating it at that price point three years later when most are paying $150+ secondary is kind of disingenuous, so I’m going to make an exception and take price totally out of the equation with my rating. 4.5 out of 5.

I've been holding onto this gem for quite some time. Waiting for the right moment to crack the seal. A special family event was the cause. But I had several libations prior, so I decided to wait before reviewing. Today is the day! For one thing, I was flabbergasted on how smooth this was considering the uncut nature of this magical brown water. It allowed me to relish in the complexities within. The aromatics resulted in a delightful mix of cinnamon apples, brown sugar, and vanilla bean. The preliminary sips yielded a blend of allspice, rye, and oak. Later I encountered a drizzle of chocolate, peach, and hints of tobacco and molasses. These 3 persisted onto the lovely long finish with oak/rye emerging at times. I now can see why these are so hard to get one's mitts on. Utterly superb all around from start to finish! I will cherish every pour from this day onward.

5280 club with daveco pick 133.4 proof, glencairn, deep copper color Instaggnito sticker Sweet vanilla, orange, and spice in the nose. More dry than sweet, although some brown sugar presents itself after the first sip. Some cinnamon and clove, baking spice, raisin and waffle, followed by subtle syrup. Subtle char in the out breath, but a long dry finish where some orange and chocolate dance in the senses. Good oak tannins linger long with the vanilla For the proof, this drinks very well balanced. I’m sure some drops of water will change the profile at a later time.

Finally opened this bottle after nursing batch 15. On the nose there's copious amounts of brown sugar, cherries, and the unmistakable barrel char. On the palate I found it more smooth than batch 15. The obvious heat is still there but it's mellow with vanilla, cherries, and smokiness coming through. The finish is long and building. I think favor this one to batch 15, now I just have to get my hands on the others!

It’s good, but I don’t know if it’s my favorite. I don’t get a lot of sweet notes, but deeper ones. Like dark chocolate, maybe a bit of nut - I’m thinking an almond covered in cacao. I actually ate one and it complemented this well. It’s a good one, just maybe a bit underwhelming for the name.