Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. . . Like many high ABV offerings, Stagg Jr is no exception in that it has a narrower band in the mid range flavor variants, this may have something to do with the extra volume percentage being consumed by the alchol.. or not. Having recently gone on a mission for "barrel proofs" I was pleased to find this 129.5 proof bottle at a local store for 60$. Unlike the Elijah Craig and 4 Roses BPs, (reviews to come) this one simply jumps in your face and makes you work to find the muffled tones of bourbon flavors. The nose offers sweet mash and subtle rye with vanila and citrus. Uncut this will start hard and burn however the midrange is narrow and the body is thin not "fat" like the sweeter, richer bourbons often easily found sitting on the shelf and often at a lesser price. Carmellic and wood sweetness are present but nearly hidden along with some other relaxed notes you will discover over time as you try it with ice and water. Water will take away most of the bitter lingering finish and bring out some tartness along with clove in the follow through. Even with the slight smoke tails I could see a Scotch drinker going ape on this one as it offers up some of the milder hints of wood oils, root beer notes and dark chocalate cherry bitters and hardness often smothered in much fuller sweeter bourbons. For all its in your face abv harshness, the finish is remarkably still and burn free, perhaps with a hint of cinnamon and little to no flame upon adding ice or water. While there is very little to NOT like about this pouring it does lack for some of the more familiar notes with some being far TOO subtle to detect. While I wouldnt pass up a chance to add this bottle for comparative drinking occasions I feel certain a bottle of Blantons at the same price would be far and away the choice of the majority of novice to experienced bourbon fans alike. I could easily pass on this for a few good rounds of Eagle Rare and thus the conundrum for Buffaloe Trace with this offering.