Stagg Jr Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 1

NOSE: sour apple, vanilla, kiwi?, brown sugar in unmixed cookie dough, hint of an unpleasant varnish smell but it's fleeting and hard to pin down. PALATE: oily, apricot, subtle apple pie flavor, some sweet pipe smoke, burns the tip of my tongue. Opens up very nicely with water, burn about gone, more cinammon and nutmeg spice. FINISH: long in length, slight hint of mint, more cinammon than I got on the palate, fried banana, burnt toast, Topps bubble gum. THOUGHTS: I had read reviews that did not think highly of this compared to George T Stagg. I've had that and loved it. This is an obviously younger version, but I quite enjoyed it, especially with some water. Given how much easier it is to get than daddy Stagg, I'd definitely recommend it. It's not my favorite well priced barrel proof (here's looking at you Elijah Craig), but I would certainly buy it again. Tasted in NEAT glass. 132.2 proof

Release 3 - 132.1 proof

Class in a glass, like maple syrup, caramel, a beautiful warmth that is unbelievable smooth for such a high proof Bourbon. Utterly necessary if you can find it.