Stagg Barrel Proof Bourbon 22B

This Stagg is quite strong. My first experience with Stagg was Batch 18, a powerful spirit, and Batch 19 (also known as 22B) is similarly intense. However, if you can look past the ethanol heat, this bourbon has more complex and enjoyable qualities. The aroma doesn't suggest its high proof. Black cherries, figs, and caramel entice the senses before tasting. The taste is a fiery, tongue-tingling proof. I wish I had decanted this bourbon; I believe some time with air would benefit it greatly. Straight from a newly opened bottle, the taste is overwhelmingly ethanol with pepper. Vanilla is present in the background, noticeable despite the heat. It's genuinely difficult to discern other flavors due to the intensity of the heat. The finish is long, necessary for the heat from the taste to dissipate. A little vanilla remains, along with some tart cherries. However, the receding heat is the main event. This one is challenging for me. While many praise all things Stagg, I find it excessively hot to be truly enjoyable. That said, I'm sure a few drops of water or some time in a decanter would significantly improve this bourbon, but honestly, who has the time for that?

On the nose, I detect cherry, cinnamon, and ethanol. On the palate, it's Stagg: it's hot, it's sweet, and it has a warming finish. This batch seems less complex than others. I agree with another reviewer that it resembles a hotter Eagle Rare. Cinnamon overwhelms the sweetness and any potential other flavors, leading to a woody note. Not my favorite Stagg Jr. batch, but it's drinkable.

Nose - Abundant cinnamon and deep, dark barrel char. Hints of sticky caramel. Some aged leather contributes a classic bourbon aroma. Palate - This presents a classic bourbon profile. Plenty of vanilla, cinnamon, oak, and leather. No other prominent flavors, just a very good traditional bourbon. Finish - Echoes the palate with some herbal undertones.

Nose: Primarily deep caramel molasses with a hint of maple. Also notes of dried fruit like raisin and cherry. A touch of oak tannin as well. Palate: Very juicy and coats the front/mid-palate. Molasses and dried fruit are the dominant flavors. Dried fruit lingers on the finish with some dry oak at the edges. It almost makes you want to chew it.

The aroma was delightful, reminiscent of a warm molasses cookie on Christmas, with strong baking spices. The palate did not live up to the exceptional nose. I detected some fruit notes, and it bore a resemblance to Eagle Rare with a high ethanol content. I couldn't get into it after several attempts, so I gave it to a friend.

Nose: Subtle, ethanol, toffee. Taste: A really nice, deep caramel and pear at first, then the heat kicks in. Finishes with mellow, oaky, sweet sugar cookie. Added ice softens the heat's impact, revealing great, smooth flavors that transition well.