Tastes

Not bad but not great. Nose: Much better than the taste. Vanilla mostly with a little oak and a little citrus peel. Flavor: Kind of neutral vanilla and wood but very spicy rye flavor. Too much spice for me given that it's a bourbon. Boring and spicy. Finish: Too quick and too hot. Not bad but nothing I'd go out to find a bottle on. Definitely I'd like to see the barrel strength version as I think some more flavors from the bourbon would come to the forefront.

Wow. Hard to find but maybe the best value Bourbon I've yet tasted if you can get it at MSRP. Nose: Vanilla, brown sugar, oak, citrus, green apple. Flavor: Very coating and thick which is surprising given that this is rumored (not confirmed) to be 6-8 years aged. More vanilla and brown sugar with orange zest. A little alcohol burn but nothing harsh or off-putting. Finish: A long coating finish that matures as it sits in your mouth. This one just keeps giving and getting more interesting. More caramelized sugars, oak, leather, cigar, and red hots. This sounds weird but this may be the bourboniest bourbon I've ever bourboned. Essentially it's a pure expression of exactly what bourbon should be.

Quite a bourbon. Nose: heavy alcohol, of course as this is well over 130 proof, vanilla, brown sugar, burnt caramel, oak, and toasted nuts. Flavor: Heavy vanilla. Caramel, toasted coconut, caramelized sugars, dark chocolate, wood in the background. Tastes a lot like a Samoas Cookie. Finish: Long like a hot summer Saturday. Lasts forever and changes and matures the longer you wait. Definitely a slow sipper. Ginger, black pepper, leather, more spices, and almost a hint of fennel. Overall a great slow drinking bourbon. For the cost and difficulty to obtain I'd stick with Stagg Jr. It's a better value though not as smooth or complex.

There is a lot of hype surrounding this product and a lot of folks will tell you to beware because it is so strong. My bottle is 130 proof on the nose which is, by far, the strongest whiskey I've tried. I'd been keeping an eye out and got one for $60. In California this is as good as you'll find and it can be tough to find period. Nose: dried fruit especially dates and figs, honeysuckle flowers, butterscotch, and wood. I'm blown away by the smell but it also kind of punches you in the nose with the alcohol burn. Taste: honey in the flavor and the texture, almost viscous in a good way, more dried fruit, dark chocolate, smoke, wood, dark brown caramelized sugars, and some light floral notes. Very strong alcohol bite but it settled down after being in the glass about 10 minutes. Give this one a few minutes to breathe before tasting to be sure. Finish: Leather, cigar, and some bitter notes like dark chocolate or cherries. Lingers much longer than other bourbons which I appreciate. I find myself taking longer and longer between sips. Definitely sip this one. The Good: Amazing taste but the best nose I've ever experienced on a bourbon. A sipping whiskey to be sure. The Bad: VERY strong and if you don't like higher proof whiskeys this is not for you. I didn't think I did but I have been converted. The Ugly: Where do I find my next bottle? How do I get my hands on Stagg Sr. as I hear it's even smoother and more drinkable due to aging.