Review #: 69
Description: Stagg Jr. Batch #13
Spirit: Bourbon
Background: Just like my review of Batch #10, this is a barrel proof offering from Buffalo Trace, usually released twice per year, with the batch number determined by the bottling proof. Batch #13 was released in the fall of 2019 so let’s see if it differs from the previous batch 10 I had tried.
Distillery – Buffalo Trace
Bottler – Buffalo Trace
Brand – Stagg Jr.
Selection – N/A
ABV – 64.2%
Age – NAS
Nose – Creamed corn, charred oak, stewed cherries, almond extract
Taste – Caramel popcorn, cherry pie filling, vanilla. Sweet, heavy, and thick
Finish – Contained heat, light oak, burnt sugar, clove, cinnamon, lingers for a long time
Score: 7
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: This definitely is just as good or better than batch 10. The balance of oak and sweetness is really nice, and certainly reminds me of a slightly less tamed version of George T. Stagg, which it is. But it definitely feels like the gap between them is closing. BT have done a great job in dialing this release. At $50, this is one of the best bottles you can get, and I think it’s even worth it up to $80. It’s that good.