2015 George T. Stagg Bourbon was created from a 128 barrels (53 gallons each) that were filled in the spring of 2000. At first glance that sounds like a lot of whiskey, and it is, but when you consider that some of the barrels ended up having only 1 or 2 gallons left in them due to an intense amount of evaporation it’s actually not. What remained of the whiskey in those 128 barrels was then dumped and bottled without chill filtration or water being added – which is how all GTS is bottled.
The year’s George T. Stagg Bourbon is, in a word, fantastic and of the years I’ve tasted (2010, 2011, 2013 and now 2015) this is my favorite. Along with the WLW this is the one I always put my name down for on store lotteries every year. It always seems to deliver in the flavor and aroma department. Though like all of the other whiskeys in the BTAC lineup it isn’t worth its secondary price which is why I’ve never once bought a bottle from a secondary source or from a store with a similar 4-5x markup.
George T. Stagg Bourbon Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Buffalo Trace
Mashbill: Mash Bill #1 (~10% rye)
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 15 years
ABV: 69.1%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 2015
Price: $80 (MSRP)
George T. Stagg Bourbon Review
EYE
Corduroy brown
NOSE
A thick complex aroma of caramel, dark fruit, dark sweets, spice and wood starts it off and a wee bit of water starts a reaction that unleashes notes of molasses and vanilla.
PALATE
Wood is upfront followed by a cavalcade of dark sweets, dried dark fruit, spice, sweet tobacco and leather. Like with the nose it’s a dense complex flavor. A bit of water surfaces light notes of vanilla and burnt chocolate.
FINISH
Long and woody layered with dark fruit, vanilla and a touch of mint.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance through the senses, rich full body and a warm oily feel that coats the mouth and throat.
OVERALL
2015 George T. Stagg Bourbon is rich and full across the senses with a great balance existing across the entire whiskey. It’s bold yet elegant in its delivery and even though it’s knocking on the door of 140 proof it’s very easy to drink. It’s something I can’t help but love. This is a bourbon worth waiting in a short line for.
Tasting the George T. Stagg next to the Eagle Rare 17 was interesting and added to my theory that the older Buffalo Trace Mash #1 gets the less tolerant of water it gets. For those thinking “but Lost Prophet was old Buffalo Trace and it’s 22 years old” you’d be kind of right. LP was indeed from the George T. Stagg distillery (now Buffalo Trace), but it was also a higher rye mashbill and more closely resembled Buffalo Trace’s Mash #2. My theory is just that, a theory, but regardless the fact remains that this year’s George T. Stagg bourbon is fantastic stuff.
SCORE: 90-92/100 (consumed at a tasting, not at home)