George T. Stagg Bourbon 2005 Lot A
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2005 Lot A: Specs
Classification: Bourbon
Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Mashbill: Buffalo Trace High-Rye Mashbill (#1)
Proof: 130.9 (65.45% ABV)
Age: 16 Years 8 Months
Location: Kentucky
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2005 Lot A Price: N/A
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2005 Lot A Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Rich, reddish maple. Garnet hues. Thin rims disintegrate into slight drops.
Nose: Very nice - dried red fruits, caramelizing sweet cornbread. Good proof, neither muted nor blasting. Cognac/Armagnac in a pan the second before it’s lit on fire.
Palate: Ooh, that’s a hot one. Oak bitterness is as strong as the cherry and brown sugar. Gets into every corner before the sip hits the back of my tongue. Lots of cherry cough syrup. Mouthfeel is rich, creamy, hot, and mouthfilling. The bitter (really, oaky) notes stick around - this might be aged just a bit too long.
Finish: Baking chocolate, goji berries, oak flavor if not as much woodiness. Short side of medium.
Overall: Flavors are ok, and the pour isn’t as hot as I initially thought, but the oak bitterness isn’t balanced out by anything so it becomes overwhelming. Get the sense that this is a George T. Stagg finding its way rather than one confident in itself.
Final Rating: 5.4
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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