Is it just me or has there been more Stagg released in 2023 than years past? Resulting in the surprising availability of Stagg ( not super common but not quite as rare as unicorn piss like before ). At least in my area that has led to the availability of Stagg at the 150-199 price point. So when I saw a bottle of 23c for $150 well... you didn't have to ask me twice. The nose on 23c seems a bit less fiery than I'm used to from Stagg but then again, it's all relative. If you aren't used to smelling barrel proof bourbons then Stagg will always smell like liquid fire to you. The nose is vanilla with tannic, slightly toasty oak meets over-ripened cherries wrapped up in some dry leather. Yes, there is some ethanol heat but its not overwhelming. There's a little bit of creme bruleé sticky sweetness hitting the back of the nose as you pull the glass away from your face. Spice opens up the taste very boldly. Tongue tingling pepper and cinnamon swirled with the proof remind you that you are in fact, drinking something just a hair over 125 proof. As the spice dissipates a touch of salted caramel and chocolate with some vanilla peek through mid taste but quickly dissipate to a much drier back of taste where the tannic oak from the nose makes a comeback with some leather. Throughout the taste, the spice stays... it doesn't really start to dissipate until you cross over into the finish. Surprisingly, the finish on 23c is a bit short, not quite as viscous as other barrel proof offerings and dare I say I bit simple? The spice slowly leaves your tongue and what's left is that tannic oak and leather from the back of the taste. The mouthfeel is a wee bit powdery and while that is up to personal preference, I much prefer an oilier mouth feel on the finish. The dryness sticks to the very last seconds of the finish. You know, I actually think Stagg 23b is the all around better of the two. However, like most Stagg releases, it's worth a try! With more Stagg coming to market, availability is a little more widespread so why not take advantage and try to find this at your local whiskey bar for a taste? I probably wouldn't commit to a bottle purchase unless you're really into a spicy dryness.