Stagg Jr. Batch 14 (Spring/Summer 2020)

Stagg Jr. Batch 14 (Spring/Summer 2020)

Buffalo Trace

65.1% ABV/130.2 Proof

NAS

Eye: Dark maple syrup. Thin rim and thin legs. 

Nose: Stone fruits and light caramel, like a Werther’s. Dark chocolate and some heat, fruity acidity too. Maple syrup candies after some air. 

Palate: Hot, but not as hot as expected given the proof. Tons of dark chocolate. My entire tongue is tingling and it’s delightful! Brookside chocolate-covered fruits, dark dried fruits like figs and dates that give a great unctuous body without being too sweet. Mouthfeel is hot, coating, and very filling. 

Finish: Also hot, but again I love it. Dark chocolate bars - think 75% and up - with dark caramels in the corners of the mouth. 

Overall: This is a chocolate bomb and I love it. If you can handle the proof, this is one of the best batches you haven’t had yet.

Rating: 8.1

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)