Tastes

All of the classic Jim Beam notes but better. Peanut, tobacco, and a spearmint finish.

If I were tasting this blind, I could tell you it’s some release of Booker’s just from the nose. Vanilla, cinnamon, peanuts, and dried fruit. The palate was spicy but not the standard baking spices kind of spicy. Like coating peanuts in chili powder.

Very sweet, great mouthfeel, flavors of orange peel, and a hint of cherry. The finish builds slowly.

Classic Jim Beam profile. Nutty (peanut butter), cinnamon, and a hint of cherry. Delightful finish.

Amazing nose. Chocolate, cherry, and orange peel. Ethanol does not overpower the nose considering the proof. Palate is light and inviting. A good entry for higher proof bourbons. Cinnamon, hint of licorice. Char. The finish is warm and lingers. A gentle hug. Not a ton of spice.

Citrus, vanilla, and burnt sugar on the nose. Very smooth for the proof. Signature Stagg Jr spice. I prefer this to batch 15 and prefer it neat.

Unripe peaches on the nose initially but opens up to a hint of vanilla and baked goods. Standard spicy palate that I have come to expect from Stagg Jr. Silky mouthfeel is quickly met with heat. Lots of heat and char and spice that sticks with you on the finish.

It is worth noting that I am commenting on batch 2. The nose is a pleasant citrus and oak with the sweetness expected for a four grain. Fantastic mouthfeel. The finish was surprising for 90 proof. I’m assuming it is because of high-quality rye. The hug comes in on the second sip but it is there. This has all of the complexity I could have hoped for for in a 90 proof four grain. It’s fantastic neat or even over ice. I tasted batch 1 in November 2019 and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Batch 2 did not disappoint.

The nose is sweet fruit like berry jam or cobbler with floral notes and cinnamon. The palate is still fruit forward with flavors of grain or cereal like the topping of a good fruit cobbler. Long, warm finish. I can feel that the rye is there but it does not jump out, even on the finish. Slight char on the finish of the second sip. Overall, I’d love to pair this with a cobbler or a rich berry pie.

Standard nose... vanilla and caramel with a stronger oak note. Sweet initially with a stronger rye finish. Definitely one of the best affordable barrel proofs of this year.