George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2019)

Creamy, chocolate with a mild burn after it opens up incredibly smooth. 4.65

So, perhaps we’ve met before. Perhaps my last GTS notes were on a 2018 batch. I honestly don’t care because these are so inaccessible that who realistically goes about sampling multiple years. If I could find a single bottle I would be beyond ecstatic. As part of a dream flight this leaves me asking if it is still a 5.0 bourbon. It is absolutely incredible in how forceful and concentrated it is. My nose is pummeled with aromas of cherry syrup, toffee, old oak, overripe banana, allspice, tobacco, and leather. It’s a beating. The arrival brings a quick, hot burst of sweet dried and dark fruit, potpourri, burnt sugar, toffee, pecans, and brown butter. It finishes for minutes upon end with dried cherry, allspice, oak and a nice mineral quality. If it’s not a 5 then a 4.75 at the least. I was blown away by this in a simile fashion to ECBP A119. At 116.9 proof it takes no prisoners, hits darker, earthier corners of every corner of the flavor wheel and leaves me wanting more. I have to wonder if a mixture of IW Harper 15, OF 1920 and dash of either ECBP or another high-rye barrel proof bourbon could come close. The funny part is this is a low rye mash bill! Goes to show that compared to the higher rye mash bill of Blanton’s SFTB this is significantly spicier. I know which I would pick between the two. Throw a WLW into the mix and the decision becomes frustratingly difficult.

Thanks Ryan for this one. Brown sugar, vanilla, and a touch of booze. Cherry, vanilla, and oak. The mouthfeel us creamy, and delicious.