BTAC Showdown: George T. Stagg (2019 release) vs William Larue Weller (2019 release) George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller, part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC), need no introduction here. While these are scarce “collectible” bottles, I purchased them both to drink and share with fellow afficionados (not just plain friends!). Both were purchased on a trip out of state on a bourbon-hunting foray: the Stagg was by itself at one store, but the WLW was part of a set at another store that the owner would not separate. That set included WLW, Weller Full Proof, Weller CYPB, Weller 12, Weller 107, and Weller Special Reserve. I really wasn’t interested in the W107 or WSR, as I already had some of both; but I didn’t have much choice in the matter. I paid plenty for the lot, after considerable back and forth (the shop was on the way to Augusta, Georgia, and the owner insisted that the group looked good in his store for people going to The Masters—I tried not to laugh—did he want to sell or not?), but in hindsight the entire lot was well below secondary for just one WLW today. While both of these bourbons are part of BTAC, they have different mashbills. Buffalo Trace provides very detailed information in their Release Letter for each bourbon. George T. Stagg • Mashbill: Kentucky corn (Distillers Grade #1 and #2), Minnesota Rye, and North Dakota malted barley • Barrel: new, white oak, #4 char • Proof: 116.9 • Distillation: Spring 2014 • Release: Fall 2019 • Age: 15 years, 3 months Clear, dark mahogany color, as one would expect from a 15-year-old bourbon. Nose offers pipe tobacco, cedar, oatmeal raisin cookie, bergamot, some underlying vanilla, and noticeable cool mint. (Tasted again after the WLW, both caramel and rye are more noticeable on the nose). Palate shows some pleasant heat, barrel char, and leather notes, leading to pepper, oak, and vanilla on the long finish. Overall, the Stagg comes across as slightly more woody than the WLW, consistent with the increased age—but not in a negative way. Very, very good. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. William Larue Weller • Mashbill: Kentucky corn (Distillers Grade #1 and #2), North Dakota wheat, North Dakota malted barley • Barrel: new, white oak, #4 char • Proof: 128.0 • Distillation: Winter 2007 • Release: Fall 2019 • Age: 12 years, 6 months Clear, dark mahogany color, virtually indistinguishable from the Stagg, despite being roughly three years younger. Complex nose shows carrot cake, luxardo cherries, honey, pomander, and even barbecue sauce. Pleasant, almost pillowy, penetrating, mouthcoating palate where the high proof makes its presence known. Long finish, culminating in a smooth, well-integrated, oaky vanilla. Incredibly smooth considering the 128 proof. An iconic, benchmark bourbon against which any other can be measured. 5.0 on the Distiller scale. George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller are two incredibly well-made, top-of-the-line bourbons. There is no marketing fluff here. There’s no “hipness.” This is old-school, top-quality bourbon that is a pleasure to savor. The GTS is a bit more leathery and woody, almost rough-hewn, whereas the WLW is more smooth, more refined. Think Clint Eastwood in his prime (Stagg) vs Roger Moore in his (WLW). Both alpha, apex performers at the top of their (slightly different) games. N.B. All spirits always tasted neat from a Glencairn glass