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Stagg Jr. Bourbon

Stagg Jr., Take Two, 64.35% Batch

0 988

@VictorReview by @Victor

9th Oct 2014

0

Stagg Jr. Bourbon
  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    22
  • Finish
    22
  • Balance
    21
  • Overall
    88

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I found the first released batch of Stagg Jr to be unacceptably bitter, despite its having an excellent nose. The sample for this review is compliments of @Nock, and represents a later batch, probably the second batch, but I have no documentation for that

Nose: huge in intensity but medium in width of flavours; a ton of wood flavours of vanilla and natural caramel; lots of sweetness from the oak. The pitches are almost all high and medium in range. Spice is light here, reflecting the low (approx. 8%) rye content of Buffalo Trace Mash Bill # 1. With this second release of "Buffalo Trace Sr." the strength of the wood flavours makes it hard to taste corn flavours in the whiskey. This differentiates Stagg Jr. from standard Buffalo Trace Bourbon, one of the very few bourbons in my book in which you can actually taste corn. In Stagg Jr. there is enough oak influence to make that very difficult

Taste: as Jim Murray occasionally likes to say: "That's more like it!" The nose flavours translate well to the palate and do NOT go strongly to the bitter, as did those of the first batch of Stagg Jr. The only real shortcoming here is the absence of bass notes from wood to give this more balance

Finish: strong, long, and consistent

Balance: good but not great balance here. This batch of Stagg Jr. is still not in the same league with George T. Stagg, but I don't think that this batch would elicit groans from some of my Connosr friends (in Toronto), as did the first batch of Stagg Jr., when I served it to them. In my review of the first batch of Stagg Jr. I said that I saw no reason why Stagg Jr. couldn't and shouldn't be much better whiskey in later batches. The process of improvement is already underway. I place a high value on intensity of flavours. If I did not, this batch of Stagg Jr. would probably rate 84-86 from me, rather than 88.(and the first batch would have rated 81 from me) Thanks again, @Nock, for giving me this sample which restores my faith in Stagg Jr.

Find where to buy George T Stagg whisky

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9 comments

@Benancio
Benancio commented

@Victor. I just purchased the 66.06%ABV. I think its amazing, at least a 92 bourbon rating. Can you tell me what batch it is from? Is it an earlier batch or the latest batch?

10 years ago 0

@Benancio
Benancio commented

sorry, 66.05% ABV

10 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@Benancio, I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that the 64.35% batch is the second release, and that your 66.06% batch is the third release. I don't think that Stagg Jr. stays on the shelves for long. If you just recently bought it, it has probably also been very recently released.

10 years ago 0

@Benancio
Benancio commented

My store had two bottles of Stagg Jr and I bought them both. You have had a lot more experience than I with the best of the best bourbons. Its so hard to get a bottle of the best. I have a 20,15,10 Pappy, EH Taylor Cask strength, This bottle of Stagg JR is a close 3rd. Out of them all EH Taylor Cask strength is the winner for me. One of these day, if I'm luck I'll land a bottle of Stagg SR.

10 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@Victor and @Benancio Good for both of you to get those great Bourbons, all of these are like UFO in Quebec, something alot pretend to have seen without having any proof to backup their saying. Well, I will keep dreaming about those rare Bourbons.

10 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@Benancio, it has gotten pretty ridiculous trying to get premium bourbons and ryes the last couple of years. You do what you can to find them. You have a few good ones now...it looks like you are mostly the Big Flavours whiskey lover. In the right circles you might be able to swap that Pappy Van Winkle 20 yo for two or three bottles of Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Whiskeys, if it were unopened.

I have a bottle of Col E H Taylor Barrel Proof coming to me soon. I have heard only very good things about it. Good to hear that you like it a lot.

10 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@Robert99, you are really making me laugh! Love the UFO comparison! It is kind of like that if you want something, and it is just not anywhere around to be found. Around here Karuizawa is in that category, hell, Nikka From the Barrel is in that category here, as are Aberlour 10, Glenfarclas 15, Talisker 57 Degrees North, and The Bailie Nicol Jarvie. US Whiskeys? Yes, those too: Four Roses Limited Editions are slim and none...and BTAC whiskeys and Van Winkle have gone from 'slim' to 'almost none'.

10 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@Victor Glenfarclas are usually easy to find in Quebec but quite expansive. The 15 yo goes for $93.50 and the 17 yo for $104.75. C'est la vie.

10 years ago 0

@Nock
Nock commented

I believe that @Victor is correct: the 66.05% is the third batch . . . that I just missed out on. My local store apparently had it on the shelf (because the tag was there) only the shelf was empty (tear).

As always I am excited to read your reviews. What is interesting is that I believe that you and I are much closer on this batch than the first batch. I liked this batch less well while you liked it far more. And I think I agree with your score.

Well written as always! I am glad your faith is restored!

10 years ago 0