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Now, let's see how this Stagg Jr is tasting this evening! back to a dry vanilla that serves as a wonderful base for one of the softest & approachable batches of Stagg These nuances are all very low in intensity which is a surprise for me from Stagg Jr.

Batch 12: the long-lauded best-of-the-bunch Stagg Jr release by whiskey enthusiasts far and wide. So, I reiterate the titular question: is this the pinnacle Stagg? ) Proof: 132.3° Age: NAS (~8 years) Further identification: Batch 12 was the Summer 2019 release of Stagg Stagg-good—but not quite. The 2020 and 2022 releases of George T. Stagg outpace this in the quality department, but batch 12 is absolutely no slouch.

I have to thank @egilbert09 for this pour as he graciously gifted me the rest of his bottle! I didn't have one open right now, but have been yearning for the day of getting back to this one (I have previously drank through one already). I am currently struggling to enjoy my way through a Batch 13. I have future intentions of lining up Batch 12-15, or maybe even 16 now, in a blind head to head to find my true favorite. I love seeing that everyone has a preference on these and there is no clear winner across the board. I know many people have been digging the sweeter strawberry cereal flavors off Batch 15, but 14 has always been solid for me. Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%) Proof: 130.2° Age: NAS (~8 years) Further identification: Batch 14 (Summer 2020) Nose: Sweet, syrupy vanilla can be smelled from quite a large distance from the glass. Some immediate newspaper heat and pepper spice punch the nostrils on first approach. Cinnamon candy smells lovely and tingles the lungs. Caramel and cherry mingle well as the underside of the punchier flavors. Allspice, leather and a slight anise give this great depth. It's punchy and powerful on the nose - exactly what I want out of a barrel proof offering. Sweet campfire ash is fairly strong now, followed by a thinner molasses drizzle. Some lemon zest rolls over that and evolves into a lemon meringue pie that is mostly comprised of flaky crust. Finally things are returning to the sweeter cherry profile that tells me this glass is ready for a sip. Much more of the leather is present now after a sip; a rich undertone that gives this pour some serious class. I can smell that syrupy consistency; it's like a tea loaded down with a bunch of honey. Just gets better and better with time in the glass. A slight grassy earth note is present late in the glass, but fleeting as it returns to its base oak aroma. Vanilla & molasses return at the last sip and are a sweet farewell that actually brings a bit of a smile to my face. Palate: As a first sip of the day, this is unbelievably approachable. It's not until several seconds after a sip that the wave of cinnamon hots gives the chest a little hug. The cherry flavor is perfectly laced with a touch of anise and the rich, old oak that got this bourbon to where it is. A thorough chew results in explosions of maple syrup, black pepper, allspice, leather, and a hint of dried tobacco leaf. Crazy layers to this now and the anise is coming on stronger than ever, but still subtle. Reminds me a bit of a particular Sazerac cocktail I had last night which is still fresh on my mind; this is definitely less anise than that Absinthe explosion. Explosive in so many ways, but shifting, changing and evolving with every sip. This is a pour that you could easily do with a rich food pairing and the flavors would continue to hold up. The mouth coating is intensely rich and almost slightly numbing. Try having a bite of something bland after this and you're going to have a tough time finding anything with this much flavor. Last sip highlights the syrupy cherry and cinnamon hots that I'd say are definitely the overarching experience of this pour. The last linger is long with a highlight reel of the rest of the glass. Rating: 5/5 (Just wow. One of my favorites.) This batch is a clear step up from (currently un-reviewed, sorry) Batch 13 for me. It maintains high intensity and complexity without being overly punishing. Solid pour - grab it if you still can!

It's the last Stagg Jr batch! Everyone panic! It's true, but no need for screams and tears. Stagg release. The mint notes are a little surprising for Stagg Jr, but overall I can tell this is going to have some

Stagg on the 2019 release which was really impressive in it's own right.

Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%) Proof: 131.1° Age: NAS (~8 years) Further identification: Batch 15 (Winter 2020) Buttery, creamy, textured nose. Musty and chocolatey leather. Funky pepper. Fresh linens. Really creamy/sweet. Instant prevalent mouth coating kissed with a light, sweet strawberry. Caramel carries the proof through. Wow. Explosive flavors. Very sharp vanilla/marshmallow. Cloves & pepper. Pungent strawberry is laced into the leather. Spicy late in the glass. Solid. Kind of reminds me of a strawberry cereal that is sprinkled with a light cinnamon. Finish is shorter than previous batches but this is way more approachable. I have a feeling this batch is going to be a crowd pleaser, but I don't think it is my top (batch 14 is, as of right now). Rating: 4/5

Well, as a self-proclaimed Stagg man, I guess I kind of do. Today I just happen to have Stagg in front of me, tomorrow possibly some craft distillery you've never It's holistically very cohesive and approachable for Stagg, but ultimately pretty unexciting. Batch 23C comes across muted and simple, nothing like what normally excites me about Stagg Junior batches

Old school Stagg is hard to come by these days. Stagg was first introduced in 2002 in response to the whiskey world calling for more high proof, well-aged Stagg bottling, a wonderful whiskey that matched the energy of the 2020 release quite well. Stagg, despite my lengthy exploration through scents and memory here tonight. Stagg.

Mellower than the left glass for sure, there is sweet candied strawberry similar to a Stagg Jr batch Stagg - 2020 Release Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Stagg - 2019 Release Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo

I readily drank a good bit more of this than the Stagg Jr, which I think is testament to the quality Stagg Jr Batch 17 This comes off the lightest of all on depth and complexity. George T Stagg 2. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 3. Stagg Jr 4. Blanton's Bonus Brittany ranking: 1. Stagg Jr 2. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 3. Blanton's 4. George T Stagg She likes the sweeter, less spicy stuff for reference!

Stagg did not, perhaps due to the fact that it is distributed in the highest numbers. For Thomas H. Stagg Bourbon, William Larue Weller Bourbon, Thomas H. Stagg Bourbon Flash Review: Here comes the train. Are you going to get out of the way? No? Stagg hits you like the guy you never saw coming when you went up to try to catch that long toss of the Stagg isn't even fair due to the proof and depth difference, but it does highlight a bit of a coffee

My last sip reminds me of Stagg Jr batch 13. Yum. The parallels to Stagg Jr batch 13 are very real - this one is definitely a hot mess, but I liked it