Stagg Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 18

I've been wanting to try a Stagg Jr. for a while now. Although batch 18 has dropped the Jr. designation, I rushed at the chance to pick up this bottle for a decent price once I learned that the Stagg Jr. product has been discontinued. I had to snatch up what could be my last chance to own a bottle of Stagg (Jr.?). Man, this stuff is 131 proof? I basically went into this review expecting damn near rubbing alcohol levels of heat. The nose is surprisingly gentle and well rounded for this fire breathing proof. Sweet, dark cherries swim in a sea of caramel and dark cocoa powder. Yes, upon a deeper sniff, you will catch the ethanol heat from the proof but you also grab a hint of spicy sweet cinnamon. Wow! What an incredible hit of cinnamon on the palate. Yet somehow... not unpleasant. Its sweet and spicy like red hots candy. That cherry from the nose peeks its head out as the spice rounds off. But that spice is definitely there throughout both the taste and finish. Rolling into the finish, tannic oak takes over the show. There still remains a faint hint of cherries but really, the finish is dominated by cinnamon and spice. Are all Stagg Jr bottlings this hot? What is your favorite? Not sure if starting off with the 18th bottling is giving this bourbon a fair shake but I will say that this is incredibly drinkable for 131 proof bourbon. Pretty much the opposite of Booker's which in my opinion is just way too ethanol hot to be likeable.

The nose is surprisingly absent of ethanol, being 131 proof. I get oak, baking spices, and cherries. On the palate it's a dream. It's thick like a sweet cherry syrup, balanced by oak and char, with a building spice and warmth. The finish is long and very enjoyable. This stagg batch has some age to it, and it wouldn't surprise me if it ended up being the 2021 GTS that wasn't released. So far, this is the best stagg jr I've ever had, it is almost comparable to GTS.

First impressions: It’s hot right off of the bat, but it lasts forever on the palate. Once the ethanol has evaporated some, the nose is quite enjoyable (rich fruits and sweet oak). The proof is felt but the flavors really pop. This batch has an extra layer of richness and complexity that takes this to another level once you get accustomed to the proof. Classic BT flavors of sweet fruits and oak on full display. Amazing pour

Nose: A panoply of berries, stone fruit, and melon. A couple light earthy notes. Palate: Wave of grape flavor ice. Strawberries. French toast with icing. Decadent. Finish: Cinnamon. Red hots. Baking spices and brown sugar. Still some fruit influence. Its awesome. It sometimes sucks when a bottle lives up to the hype, but these always do it. I’s grab this sub $200 and feel totally fine about it. It is a special bottle.

Getting notes of brown sugar and cherry up front. Develops with a strong woodiness and black coffee flavor. Dark brown sugar, molasses, baking spices, and caramel throughout, but semiweet. Finishes pretty warm and spicy, which is to be expected, with some nice charred wood notes. Big chocolate and coffee on the finish. The flavors are very concentrated. Amazing bottle, definitely a special occasion bottle.

An intense, Bourbon by Buffalo Trace Distillery. It has a bitter birth with notes of bitter oak, vanilla & brown sugar; while a sour life adds notes of dark chocolate & rye spiciness; that leads to a long & rich death with hints of cherry, candy, corn, clove & smoke.