You cannot tell the history of bourbon without talking about George T Stagg. Stagg was born in 1835 and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, George started a job as a whiskey salesman. George T Stagg bought whiskey from the O.F.C Distillery (Old Fire Copper Distillery) and formed a bond with the legendary Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. In the midst of financial struggles, Stagg bought O.F.C Distillery from Taylor in 1878. In 1904 O.F.C Distillery was renamed the George T Stagg Distillery and is known today as Buffalo Trace.
Buffalo Trace paid respect to George by naming one of the bottles in their Antique Collection, George T Stagg (GTS). GTS is a cask strength, uncut, unfiltered, ultra aged (15+ years), premium bourbon that is sought after by all bourbon enthusiasts. It is in such high demand that it is near impossible to find unless you go to an auction house or the secondary market. Buffalo Trace decided to name another cask strength, uncut and unfilled bourbon after George but it would be aged around 7-10 years and be more available. That bourbon was initial released under the name Stagg Jr in Fall 2013.
What Is The Stagg Mashbill?
George T Stagg and Stagg are both made with the Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 (10% rye), leading to sweet and fruity notes in the bourbon. Other bourbons made with mashbill #1 include, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare 10 Year, and a large majority of the E H Taylor Bourbon lineup. The exact percentages of mashbill #1 have never been released but just by taste you can tell this is a lower rye, higher corn recipe that tends to have a sweeter and less spicy profile.
Stagg Jr and Stagg Batch List
When this lineup was first released, it was under the name Stagg Jr, referring to a younger version of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection’s George T Stagg. Unlike Eagle Rare 10 Year or Buffalo trace that are released throughout the year, Stagg has two releases each year referred to as ‘batches”. Stagg is also an offering in Buffalo Trace’s single barrel program, where an individual or group can taste single barrels of Stagg and pick their favorite to be bottled. This potentially offers a unique tasting experience compared to the twice yearly batches where different flavors can emerge or higher or lower proofs than normal.
Stagg Jr was first released in the fall of 2013 and has continued ever since. The last batch of Stagg Jr was batch 17, released in Fall 2021. Starting with the 19th batch, the Stagg is called 22B, referring to the year released. The following letter is A or B referring to the first or second release of that year. The In-Depth Stagg batch list:
Batch 1 – 134.4 Proof, Fall 2013
Batch 2 – 128.7 Proof, Spring 2014
Batch 3 – 132.1 Proof, Fall 2014
Batch 4 – 132.2 Proof, Spring 2015
Batch 6 – 132.5 Proof, Fall 2015
Batch 7 – 130.0 Proof, Spring 2016
Batch 8 – 129.5 Proof, Spring 2017
Batch 9 – 131.9 Proof, Fall 2017
Batch 10 – 126.4 Proof, Spring 2018
Batch 11 – 127.9 Proof, Fall 2018
Batch 12 – 132.3 Proof, Spring 2019
Batch 13 – 128.4 Proof Fall 2019
Batch 14 – 130.2 Proof, Spring 2020
Batch 15 – 131.1 Proof, Fall 2020
Batch 16 – 130.9 Proof, Spring 2021
Batch 17 – 128.7 Proof, Fall 2021 (Last Stagg Jr)
Batch 18 – 131 Proof, Fall 2022
Batch 22B – 130 Proof, Winter 2022
Batch 23A – 130.2 Proof, Spring 2023
Batch 23B – 127.8 Proof, Fall 2023
You might notice that some of these batches (batch 14 and 23A) have identical proofs, so how do you determine which batch you have? Take a look at your bottle and look for a laser code. If you learn how to read the laser code you will know which year the bottle was released and can determine the batch. It is worth noting that there are also single barrel selections of Stagg that will have proofs that match the proofs of the batches. The single barrel picks should have a medallion signifying a single barrel, or you can also check the laser code to cross check the proof and year match up.
Stagg Jr Cox’s Single Barrel Review
I am actually tasting and reviewing a single barrel of Stagg Jr. picked by Cox’s and Evergreen in Louisville, Kentucky. I do have the single barrel information from Buffalo Trace, giving great insight into the exact age Stagg bourbon. This pick was aged 8 years and 5 months, which is when I start to think bourbon hits a sweet spot. Anything younger than 7 years can taste young, grainy or strong notes of alcohol. I think once bourbon hits around 8 years old, the alcohol really starts to mellow out and the beautiful barrel (oak, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar) notes start to shine.
I poured neat in a glencairn and let set for around 15 minutes. If you would like to support the site and buy a pair on glencairns, follow the hyperlink!
Color – Slightly aged copper. The color resembles a copper pipe or a penny that could be cleaned up and would shine.
Aroma – Immediately the aroma is dominated by brown sugar and I mean dominated. There are sweet candied cherries, some orange zest and sweet oak that blend in beautifully. The nose is intense, as it should be with such a high proof. My second go at the glencairn the alcohol stings my nose after the bourbon swirled in the glass a bit. The proof shows but this is a brown sugar bomb.
Taste – The front of my palate is again highlighted by candied cherries and a hint of vanilla. The mid and back palate do get some baking spices, cinnamon, black pepper, sweet oak and some alcohol. The mouthfeel is decent, with the proof providing some viscosity but this hasn’t been aged long enough to really get that syrupy mouthfeel that I am always hunting for. There is really no substitute for time in a barrel. The brown sugar on the nose does translate to the palate but it is not as dominating.
Finish – The finish is strong and hits deep in the chest and travels down to my stomach. The over 8 years of aging on this has mellowed out the sting of the high proof, but that same high proof makes the finish linger and is intense. Flavors of cherries, oak and a tingle of alcohol linger on my palate for minutes. I can continuously taste this bourbon and can space out my sips 5-10 minutes apart and still enjoy the intense flavors.
Rating – 9.0/10
Thoughts – The flavors and proof are strong but enjoyable. Bourbons proofed over 130+ are normally a bit strong for my palate. I will say this is very enjoyable, highlighted with dark brown sugar, great candied/fruity notes and drinks slightly below its proof. I am so glad Buffalo Trace is patient with the Stagg line to let them age 8+ years.
There are so many barrel proof options on the market now but very few are aged appropriately. Many are barrel proof bourbons are aged 4 years then finished in a secondary cask to mask the strong alcohol and young flavors. Be careful when buying young barrel proof bourbons. Do you research and read the labels because most are aged 4-6 years and I think aren’t worth bottling.
Overall Stagg is a great pour that is aged appropriately, has distinct tasting notes and gives you the full barrel strength experience! I don’t recommend tasting this as a beginning bourbon drinker. I would recommend a few experiences with a 90-100 proof bourbon, then a few experiences with a 100-120 proof bourbon before jumping to the 130+ proof range. Personally, I would note have faired well or appreciated this pour as a beginning bourbon drinker.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
5 | Good | Good, just fine
6 | Very Good | A cut above
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect
Debonair Gentlemen 
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