George T. Stagg Bourbon 2016
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2016: Specs
Classification: Bourbon
Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Mashbill: Buffalo Trace High-Rye Mashbill (#1)
Proof: 144.1 (72.05% ABV)
Age: 15 Years 4 Months
Location: Kentucky
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2016 Price: $99 (MSRP)
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2016 Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Mahogany and tobacco - gorgeous. Very thin rims, droplets decorate the glass.
Nose: Mostly alcohol up front, some bourbon scents. A little air opens up brown sugar and spiced maple syrup. Still tight, despite the notes emerging. Nose opens with more dark brown sugar, dark dried fruits that are complex with0ut being overtly fruity.
Palate: Hot - but so so good - all on the tongue, concentrated bourbon fire. So much bourbon goodness: cornbread, smoke, char, brown sugar, almonds toasting, brioche caramelizing in butter with barrel aged maple syrup. Incredibly intense - the 76% evaporation shows. Candied peanuts, too. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, prickly, velvety, coating especially on the tongue with vanilla oak and caramel goodness. Dark fruits emerge only late - powerfully, but late.
Finish: Burnt brown sugar, almond brittle, slightly sticky.
Overall: Not as hot as the 2007, despite being very close on proof and age. This is incredible, but not as nuanced. Brown sugar bomb all around, with dark fruits emerging only late. I would easily drink a bottle of this.
Final Rating: 9.1
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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