George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2017)

Nose - (w/o water) Dark chocolate covered raisins & espresso beans, leather, coke syrup (w/ water) Very similar but more tannic leather. Taste - (w/o water) Sweet cinnamon/white pepper heat/tingle, intense dark caramel sweet, coke syrup, dark chocolate, dried cherries, dark toffee, light oak & leather (w/ water) Less burn, more leather, oaky coke syrup, treacle toffee, cherry caramel. Finish - (w/o water) Hot oaky leather (in a good way), dark chocolate, coke syrup, light cherry (w/ water) More drying, cinnamon, dark chocolate, light cherry. Score - 91/100 Final Thoughts - This one was quite good but for some reason it didn't have as much "cherry coke" notes as I typically get from Stagg Jr. but instead it was replaced by this sweet leather note, which I guess comes with more age in a barrel. This was quite tasty and didn't have any off-putting notes whatsoever but I guess it kind of let down the BTAC expectations of a "premium" bourbon. Don't get me wrong, this was still tasty, but I really wish it offered more of the cherry coke syrup flavor profile I love in the Stagg Jr. releases. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Yes, but not at the inflated secondary prices

Heat hides a lot of flavor

A great bourbon that does not taste like it is a 129 proof. It is relatively smooth but has somewhat of a kick on the finish (unlike OGD 114). I wish more of it was available.