George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2020)

I have 2 oz of this, so this is my third attempt. Let's see how this goes. Nose - This has been poured for about 15 minutes. Initially, it smelled of sweet cherries and excessively oaked Buffalo Trace, with a bitter overlay. Now, it's pure crème brûlée, caramel drizzle, dare I say some type of chocolate pie, and, of course, more oak. Taste - Okay, tannic, chalky, cherry, big...bold...hot. It's opening up a little. The bottom line is it's good, definitely a Stagg, but I don't prefer it over superior GTS bottlings. While the age is evident, it might have over-aged without mellowing. It pairs very well with water, allowing some sweetness to emerge and masking some bitter oak, but something is still lacking. I'll rate this 3.25, which feels remarkably low for a Stagg, but it falls short. Edit - Yes, every time I revisit it, it starts out WONDERFUL, but then the finish deteriorates quickly and doesn't recover. A true pity, as it lacks the qualities that make great Stagg expressions exceptional. It's still good, though!

Extremely potent. A small amount of water was added. The nose presents leather, nuts, corn syrup, rye, and burnt sugar. The palate was a bit overwhelming without water. Fiery, spicy rye. Perhaps some cloves/baking spices. Oak barrel influence. Burnt marshmallow, charred brown sugar, sweet corn, toffee, possibly a hint of anise. Finish of caramelized sugar, smoke, the faintest hint of maple. Charcoal, leather, tobacco. Lingering rich caramel. A true powerhouse in the bourbon category, a constant barrage of intense flavors. Having sampled Thomas Handy Sazerac, William Larue Weller, and George Stagg on several occasions, William Larue Weller is my preference due to its smoothness, complexity, and refinement. Stagg is the opposite - it's aggressive and intense. I believe Weller is the superior, more sophisticated whiskey, but Stagg delivers a relentless assault on your palate and shouldn't be overlooked. My thanks for the sample, Paul!

Alcohol is prominent initially on the nose before transitioning directly into rich flavors of caramel, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and pleasant fruit aromas. The 130 proof is certainly noticeable on the palate and quite warm; the swallow is satisfying, thick, and smooth. I truly adore it. I prefer it neat without question. Now I comprehend the excitement because it meets and exceeds expectations. This is my initial bottle and first taste, and likely my last sip as I want it to last ETERNALLY. If you ever get the opportunity for even a small taste, don't pass it up. I'm here to assure you it's absolutely, unequivocally WORTH IT, in my opinion!

Smell: Caramel, dark fruit, vanilla, cacao, coffee. Taste: Caramel and vanilla upon first sip. Cacao, tobacco, and dried cherries emerge later. Some black tea and spice on the finish. Significant alcohol warmth. Improves considerably with water. Finish: Medium to Long. Predominantly bitter cacao. Leaves the mouth dry (astringent). A fine bourbon offering more complexity than typical caramel and vanilla notes. Bold flavors and a very memorable dram. This would be difficult to refuse at the suggested retail price, although the bitter undertones were a bit too pronounced for my preference.

Nose: Hints of caramel, dried black cherry, dark oak, a spirited ethanol aroma, and dried herbs. Nose After Swirl: The ethanol burn is more noticeable, similar dried medicinal herbs as before, with abundant dark fruit. Palate: Extremely rich texture. Immediate warmth, a very dark flavor profile... cacao, black cherry, those dried herbs reappear. Finish: An exceptionally long, wonderfully moist finish 💦, retaining the darker flavors from the palate and intensifying the apothecary character, a pleasant sharp oak that blends perfectly with the scarce lighter notes.

Nose - Immediately like a Snickers bar. Creamy peanut butter swirled with caramel, all covered in milk chocolate. A subtle hint of oak and vanilla remains. Just like a candy bar. Palate - Tastes like vanilla and Red Hots candies. Lots of cinnamon and charred barrel notes. The texture is medium, neither too heavy nor too light. Dark chocolate and oak provide a pleasing bitterness. More peanut notes, reminiscent of a mix between Booker's and Stagg Jr. Finish - Astonishingly long and intense. It's still lingering from the initial taste, remarkable. Roasted nuts and oak.