George T. Stagg Bourbon 2003
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2003: Specs
Classification: Bourbon
Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Mashbill: Buffalo Trace High-Rye Mashbill (#1)
Proof: 142.7 (71.35% ABV)
Age: 15 Years
Location: Kentucky
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2003 Price: $99 (MSRP)
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2003 Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Dark maple syrup. Thin bleeding rims and dissipating beads.
Nose: Syrupy red fruits, maple, and some proof. Proof grows as does some candied cherry and oak astringency.
Palate: Hot, a nice heat that coats the entire tongue. Peanut shells, some oaky bitterness on the back palate. Unsweetened chocolate that lingers. Mouthfeel is textured and velvety, hot and peppery, chocolate growing as my tongue numbs. The oak is drying and woody, not too much but enough for me.
Finish: Chocolatey as my senses (slowly) return, still peppery and astringent. Dried red fruits, unsweetened, peek out after the oak storm passes.
Overall: Hot, with flavor and feeling fighting each other at every step. This feels a bit over-oaked, with nice flavors that are blasted away by the palate’s heat and woodiness. This probably would’ve been better 2-3 years before it was bottled - but since GTS didn’t exist at that point, gonna have to let that one slide.
Final Rating: 4.8
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)
7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)
6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)
4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)
3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)
2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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