Stagg Jr Bourbon Batch 25D Review: How Many Batches is Too Many?
- Nick Anderson
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.”
– Albert Einstein
I love reviewing all the Stagg Junior releases whenever I can, but this shift towards four releases a year is getting a little ridiculous. Not only do I believe this has caused a significant slide in the general quality of these batches, as we saw with the 2024 releases, but it also makes understanding which ones are worth the hunt even more complicated for barrel proof bourbon enthusiasts. Lucky for you, I have all the 2025 batches in hand as well as many of the previous releases for comparison purposes. I have tasted them all side by side and now have three sober tastings under my belt for this particular batch, 25D. On with the review!
Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky
Whiskey Type: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace mash bill # 1 (high corn, low rye, malted barley)
Proof: 129.2°
Age: NAS (though rumored to typically be around 8 years old)
Buy online: Frootbat
Further identification: This is the 25D batch of Stagg bourbon, which arrived in late winter 2025
Nose: Immediately upon lifting the glass to my nose, I find a classic Kentucky bourbon rickhouse aroma—some of that dark, weathered wood we know and love. Another sniff doesn't do wonders beyond that, though I find a slight traditional Tootsie Roll aroma trying to poke out from behind the wood funk. Wafts of vanilla scream traditional bourbon through and through. After a sip, the nose is sharper, filled with black pepper aromas that tingle and steer the nose clear. Late in the glass, some hints of grilled pineapple and a light bit of lemon lollipop can be found if you really look. Earthiness joins the simple vanilla aroma that has persisted throughout this pour. The empty glass smells of musky wetlands and caramel.
Palate: My first sip is a little hot to the tongue, with classic Stagg cherry hots coming across a bit disjointed and jagged, a hallmark of an unharmonious blend. Another quick sip reveals more ethanol burn amidst light flavors of anise and cola. Unfortunately, what should be an array of great flavors demonstrated here are all lost on the dulling effects of harsh whiskey. Sipping further does nothing to improve the profile here, as I am left with a mouthful of a synthetic tingle with little of the accompanying joy that barrel proof bourbon traditionally brings. The synthetic feel sticks around on the linger like a synthetic sugar—think Sweet'n Low here, blegh. My last sip is one of the best, oddly, featuring toffee and vanilla yogurt. The finish is of a decent length, but with no volume, as chalky artificial vanilla reminds me of a poorly mixed protein shake.
TL;DR: Expect muted flavors and unmitigated ethanol abound on this dud
Rating: 2.5/5
With all heat and no sweet, this batch makes Stagg a dull boy. While some of the previous batches have lived up to the 8-12 year old bourbon range, this batch feels noticeably younger. With a noticeably short for my typically verbose tasting prose, I have to call this one a dud. Check out the batch power rankings on the Stagg Hub, and you'll see just how low this has sunk in the quality range for Stagg Junior. Bookmark that page while you're over there, as it will be continuously updated as new batches get released!
