Review #: 46
Description: George T. Stagg 2018 Release
Spirit: Bourbon
Background: Similar to my review of GTS 2017, the 2018 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection of George T. Stagg comes as a barrel proof, limited release from Buffalo Trace’s Mashbill #1. This years release clocks in at 15 Years, 4 Months old and 124.9 proof. Let’s see how it stacks up.
Note: Reviews 43 – 46 and 50 – 53 were done as part of a series of semi-blind samples thanks to my Secret Santa. Please keep in mind that I did not know the specifics until after posting my notes. This was labeled “Unicorn” which I had specified in my notes to my secret santa that I had just bought a bottle of my “attainable” unicorn, which was Stagg Jr. So I had an idea what this would be.
Distillery – Buffalo Trace
Bottler – Buffalo Trace
Brand – George T. Stagg
Selection – N/A
ABV – 62.45%
Age – 15 Years, 4 Months
Nose – Oak, vanilla, caramel candy, butterscotch, ethanol
Taste – Oak, caramel chew, vanilla, cherry, thick and oily
Finish – Blast of cherry, dances from oak spice to stone fruit but maintains balance, long tingling warmth that goes and goes
Guess: George T. Stagg, ~130 proof?
Score: 8
Would I buy a bottle? Yes, and up to 2x MSRP
Thoughts: Just like the 2017 release, the oak is there and so well balanced with the sweet, fruity bourbon notes. The cherry in this one really blasts you with the finish, but then goes to oak and spice, kind of battling back and forth for a while in the best way. 2017 edges this one just slightly, but this was still fantastic and one of the few bottles I’d be willing to pay a premium for (though not full secondary prices).