George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2016)

The nose starts off with a big burst of heat along with dry oak and cherry syrup. It soon mellows out to offer up vanilla, brown sugar, leather, smoke. There is also some way of a slight brine to it, all in all promising quite the experience. The palate is very hot and very dry, filling with mouth with intense rye spice, oak, baking spices and a slight bit of astringent cherry syrup. Smoother notes of vanilla, cream and brown sugar are present, but not enough to reign in the heat. Not to say that is bad, as the hallmark of this bourbon is high proof. And for it is, it does it quite well. The finish is long, dry and spicy, with heat and lingers and lingers while subtle notes of oak and cherry fade away.

Vanilla, toffe, clove. Very good!

Nose: cherry, caramel, sweet oak in comparison to the stagg jr batch 9 I just tried this has much less of the sugary nose and more oak. Maybe a little red fruit maraschino cherry Body: full and wow another big banger Palate: sweet oak, caramels covered in cherry glaze and dipped in vanilla. Wow. Finish: long, smoky sweet Note: another ounce from don. Whoa as full bodied as the stagg jr batch 9 I just tried but has more depth of flavor, more refined and interesting. Holy shit this was good.

Color: Blood soaked oak. Nose: Deep charred oak. Marshmellow, fully charred husk. Vanilla, tannins. Subtle cherry. Palatte: True to the nose.  Smooth velvity mouthfeel sandwiched between tannins, a fabric of liquid heat. A spike or two.  Vanilla bean.  Creme brulee powdered with cinnamon. a plate of freshly charred oak. Finish: Quick, refreshing, subtle pear. Light clove dryness.

Carmel vanilla CHOCOLATE for days dry but enough oil to not give a shit. Cinnamon around the edges long finish. Just a beautiful example of what bourbon pushed to the extreme can be.

Damn it’s hot. Ethanol kinda overpowers on the nose but if you let it open up there is cherry pie in there with oak. Palate is hot but explodes with flavor. Massive hit of oak with burnt sugar and caramel. It coats the mouth and doesn’t let up. Cinnamon pepper and oak dominate the finish however it sticks around a long time and brings some sweetness back on the end. It is a monster of a bourbon at a ridiculously high proof. The only thing that would make it better would have been a slightly lower proof point. It’s the third Stagg I have had and they have all been amazing. Cheers

Legs for days. Sweet, smooth, lingering spice. Amazing.