Stagg Jr Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 1

Years ago, my initial tasting of this bourbon was striking. The bottle cost a significant amount, and the richness was astonishing. Aromas of vanilla, cherry pie, and cotton candy filled the air from a distance. It's an unforgettable experience. About a year later, I found a liquor store in Florida that had new ownership. The proprietor discovered cases of this bourbon among the old stock. Unaware of its value, it was placed on the shelves. The first release had a proof of 134.4. I secured six bottles for a modest price each. This is my final one. I discovered early on that the latter half of the bottle is superior to the initial pours, so I decanted the remainder into two half-bottles, allowing them to rest for two to three months. This particular bottle was decanted in December 2021. When I pour a dram, the aroma of vanilla cherry pie still fills the room. I typically savor it neat after dinner. Last month, I took a half bottle to Florida, and a companion mentioned that an unopened bottle of the first release was fetching a very high price. I enjoy it immensely, but is it worth that much? Perhaps it enhanced the flavor, perhaps not. I delight in nosing my bourbon, and this one possesses my most cherished aroma. Notes of creme brulee, cherry pie, and cotton candy are present. Could it be cherries jubilee and hot buttered popcorn? No, it's vanilla custard, fresh bing cherries atop buttered Belgian waffles with caramel. It has a bit of heat, but not as much as one might expect from 134.4 proof. A small amount goes a long way. Oh, the texture in the mouth is thick and viscous, thoroughly coating the mouth and tongue. It's a bit warmer on the tongue than the nose suggested. The flavors are powerful. Hints of cherry, apple bread pudding with a caramel bourbon sauce. The caramel lingers and develops a woody character on the finish. A subtle note of pecan is also discernible. This is my preferred bourbon; I absolutely adore it. I still have a reserve of later releases and actively search for more. However, I haven't seen any for under $200 in the past couple of years, so my current bottles might be all I acquire. Can you spell r-a-t-i-o-n?

It is very hard to get this spirit where I am, and it took me three years of trying to acquire my only bottle so far. I truly hoped the hype would not be a disappointment. Thankfully, it wasn't, and I can say it even surpassed my expectations. The alcohol content of this offering is a substantial 137.0 proof, so you would think it would be overwhelming. The nose is sweet and rich, full of brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, grape, cherry, and some spicy oak and pepper. The flavor is intense and packed with sugars. There is, of course, a good amount of heat due to the very high proof, but it doesn't feel as strong as it is and goes down fairly easily. The finish is very long-lasting and delivers an intense amount of flavor to the very end. Vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, strawberry, and black cherry are all present. There's also a note of chocolate-covered raisins. As this bottle only appears about once every three years where I am, it is worth the effort to obtain and worth the cost. In my collection of spirits, this one is at the very top and is very close to a perfect score. Nose: 4.75/5 Taste: 4.75/5 Overall: 4.75/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Special Occasion

Secured a bottle of Weller 12 in an allocated whiskey sale for 50$, which I then traded for the Stagg Jr., batch 15. I likely could’ve acquired a little more in a trade, based on secondary values, but I wasn’t trying to be greedy and was thrilled to get a bottle of Stagg for 50$. First time to try Stagg of any batch. Wish I didn’t like this as much as I do. Wish I could say I prefer JDSBBP or OF1920 since they are easy to find. ECBP is at least a worthy competitor, and I would rate RR13 a hair higher than this, but this is really good. It’s got all the good things like caramel/brown sugar, vanilla, oak, and finishes with stewed cherries. There’s a little heat, but very subdued for 65%+ ABV. Sometimes I’m concerned a Buffalo Trace product lives up to the hype.

Nose: Vanilla, brown sugar, cherry syrup, pleasant light wheat, toasted cacao bits & molasses Nose After Swirl: More subtle, almost floral scents. Palate: Very full mouthfeel; slick. Surprisingly smooth for the 131 proof. Orange, vanilla, brown sugar, INTENSE chocolate, and a hint of barrel oak & dryness. Palate with water drop: Wow. The BURN. The SPICE. This pour truly blooms after a little water. Finish: THERE'S the heat! Wonderfully long finish with a sweet heat that remains.

As expected at 131.1 proof, it's very spirited but not harsh. The flavor is dominated by smoke and cherry. Adding a tiny bit of ice or water reduces the intensity but doesn't necessarily enhance the flavor. It's a good bourbon, but it resembles an excessively strong version of Russell's Reserve Single Barrel at 110 proof, which is both cheaper and more accessible. Therefore, while I greatly enjoyed it, I likely wouldn't purchase it again, particularly at secondary market prices.

The aroma is a powerful blend of molasses and spicy fruit-flavored cola. The initial taste on the palate is an aggressive sweet grape that quickly shifts to a raisin-like sweetness. Returning to the aroma reveals a strong cinnamon and sweet tobacco note. The long finish consists of drying fruit, tobacco, and clove spice. Overall, it's a pleasant bourbon to savor; the sweetness, spice, and proof create a well-balanced whiskey with several dimensions. Batch 13 - 128.4 proof