Stagg Jr Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 17

Received a 2 oz sample from a friend Smell - Medicinal grape and cherry cough syrup, bubble gum, brown sugar, caramel, toasted marshmallow, milk chocolate, moderate oak, and moderate alcohol. Taste - Chocolate-covered cherries, raisins, light tobacco, sweet oak, maple syrup, and light baking spices. The finish is long with distinct dry oak, light black pepper, bitter dark chocolate, burnt vanilla, and moderate alcohol. This is my initial experience with this bourbon, and I'm let down. It's actually quite good for the suggested retail price, but the scarcity and buzz surrounding this and any other product from that distillery is frankly absurd. You can find a similar flavor profile, minus the medicinal grape, in other bottles. I believe all of those other options are more engaging and intricate, plus they are significantly easier to locate. This is sweet and uninspired, much like every other product from that distillery I've sampled. At this stage of my bourbon exploration, I'm quite certain in my conclusion that anyone who considers that distillery's products to be the best just lacks the palate for spice and complexity. My frustration is particularly amplified by online video content where I strongly disagree with certain popular channels who almost invariably rank that distillery's products above others known for quality and availability. Not only do those other companies offer greater clarity regarding their recipes, age statements, barrel details, storage locations, etc., they are also reasonably priced and widely accessible. The other bourbons I'm currently drinking surpass this one significantly; it's not even a close comparison. I realize I'm going on, but it's both vexing and satisfying to finally sample a highly-rated product I've pursued for years, only to find it's just another average barrel-proof bourbon.

This is the finest bourbon I’ve ever had. Period. It’s not even close. An oily texture in the mouth. I love it. Rich and smooth. Sweet and caramel-like with a hint of wood. Not the taste of cheap candy, but a bold, rich sweetness like chocolate-covered cherries. Rich. Luxurious. A lasting taste with perfect balance. I can tell it’s high proof because my gums are tingling, but in a good way. It’s a pleasant intensity. Immensely drinkable despite the high proof. It leaves me with a warm sensation, like my mouth received a gentle embrace. This is a remarkable find that I always want to enjoy but hesitate to because of its value. Truly a special pour. If you can purchase it for under $200, don't wait! If you don't have any on your shelf, it's worth paying up to $250, perhaps. Amazing. Tasting anything else after this feels like a disappointing pale imitation.

Smell: The classic cherry cola sweetness dominates! Accompanied by a touch of spicy attitude. Taste: Uncomplicated. It's bold and true to traditional Stagg Jr. Sometimes a bit rough, other times notes of caramel, cherry, and oak appear. There's also a hint of nail polish. Aftertaste: Medium given its strength. A bit one-dimensional, but satisfying to the end. Overall: I compared this alongside ECBP C919 and a 2019 SFTB Blantons. In my assessment, it came in a close third. It wasn't flawed, just less intricate. As a standalone, it's simply a superb bourbon... not the pinnacle, not life-altering, but it executes its intended profile effectively. The balance was slightly off, and the finish lacked the impact of the other two. That said, Stagg Jr. (now Stagg) has shown consistent improvement. This represents a step up from prior iterations.

That specific bourbon cannot be surpassed. Honestly, stop searching for the larger bottling and spend the secondary market price for this one. Any batch is worth the cost. Caramel. Dark cherry. Extremely oaky. So good, man. I can't provide much more detail right now because I'm intoxicated, but I'm not mistaken, and you know it. I employ the rating system below. The manufacturer uses a 5-point scale, and I use a 10-point scale, but I'm sure you're not too drunk to figure that out! 1. Disgusting - So bad I poured it out. 2. Poor - I wouldn't consume by choice. 3. Bad - Multiple flaws. 4. Below average - Not bad, but many things I'd rather have. 5. Good - Just average. 6. Very Good - Better than average. 7. Great - Well above average. 8. Excellent - In a league of its own. 9. Incredible - An all-time favorite. 10. Perfect

Considerable effort was made to obtain this bottle, and I'm somewhat let down by the pour. Overall, I detect grapes and cherries on the nose with a whisper of vanilla. The initial taste is sweet, then becomes spicy halfway through, with a subtle cherry note on the back end. The finish is medium-short, with significant heat and mild oak. This pour coats the mouth but isn't exceptional overall. I'd be interested in comparing it to other Stagg Jr. batches. It's not a bad pour, but definitely a slow sipper.

Aroma: The first scents are berries and dark fruits. Also notes of buttered toast and caramel. A hint of oak and vanilla. Overall, very pleasant. I anticipated more heat. Taste: For 128.7 proof, this is surprisingly sweet. Strong candy flavors, with a citrusy profile. It concludes with oak and vanilla. There's even a subtle trace of cocoa powder at the end, reminiscent of a chocolate drink mix. I'm really enjoying how the flavor shifts with every sip. The texture is substantial, and the finish is long. Rated 4.4, I'm increasing it to 4.5.