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    ModernThirst
    courtesy Buffalo Trace
    Bourbon

    George T. Stagg (2009 Bottling) Bourbon Review

    BillBy BillMarch 28, 2014Updated:August 28, 20179 Comments3 Mins Read

    George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2009 Bottling)

    95 Epic

    This is an epic bourbon and should be purchased or sampled at any opportunity. A classic with few rivals.

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    George T. Stagg Vital Stats

    • Age: 15 Years
    • ABV: 70.7% (141.4 Proof)
    • Bottled: 2009
    • Distillery: Buffalo Trace
    • Availability: Extremely Limited

     

    What it is:GTStagg rear label

    George T. Stagg is a limited release offering from Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection.  A highly sought-after and difficult to find bourbon, George T. Stagg is aged nearly 15 years before bottling. It’s uncut, unfiltered, and they pour it into the bottle as naked and strong as the day it was born. That’s right, barrel strength.

    What does Barrel Strength mean? Well, that’s simple. When distillers age bourbon in large oak barrels, they eventually remove the barrel from the warehouse, taste it, and add water to it until they feel it’s a good proof for drinking. Barrel Strength bourbons like Stagg do away with that nicety and take it straight from the barrel to the bottle. In other words, it’s pretty damn close to paint thinner in strength, but not in flavor.

     

    Because they don’t add water, the proofs of each release vary slightly. It can range from around 130 on the low end to 142 or higher on the high end. The bottle I’m testing is a 2009 release, which clocked in at a tongue-blistering 141.4 proof.

    Appearance:

    George T. Stagg (2009) 95/100
    George T. Stagg (2009) 95/100

     

    The bottle is tall and slim, like all the Antique Collection, with the trademark antlers signifying  Stagg label.  Simple and elegant, it’s attractive and eye-catching.  The bourbon itself is deep amber, very dark, showing hints as to its age and strength.

    Aroma:

    On the nose, there are strong hints of leather, honey, and caramel, with definite maple presence throughout. Again, this is not a pansy-drinker’s bourbon, and even the smell of this will make your eyes water. Nevertheless, it invites smell after smell, as the beautiful aroma of caramel and leather permeate the nose.

    Taste:

    The taste is powerful, as you might expect. But once the burning subsides, you can taste a definite sweetness and complexity that is surprising in a spirit this strong. Undeterred, I tried a second pour and splashed it with a touch of distilled water. This really brought out hints of fruit and sweetness on the aroma, and a coffee-chocolate finish on the taste. In both tests, there was a heavy taste of caramel and vanilla underlying the strong alcohol burn.

    Finish:

    Long, powerful, and satisfying. The oak and caramel continue through throughout with the tingle of spicy cinnamon and pepper.

    Synopsis:

    This is not an everyday bourbon. It’s just too difficult to find on shelves, thus too expensive to drink regularly, and really too high in alcohol content for most drinkers. But it’s a classic bourbon, a true masterpiece, and one packed with strength, flavor and aroma. It’s a treat to smell, and a pleasure to sip. If you manage to score a bottle, you’re almost obligated to drink it neat once or twice, but it really shines with a slash of water.

    This is a classic bourbon and should be purchased or sampled at any opportunity. It is great both for drinkers and collectors.

    ModernThirst.com Score: 95 out of 100 Points

    What does that score mean?

    George T. Stagg (2009) 95/100

     

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    Bill
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    Bill is the Co-Founder, Editor-in Chief, and official Bourbon-o-Phile for ModernThirst.com, and Founder and Chief Blending Officer for Four Gate Whiskey Company. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. He attended the University of Kentucky in the mid to late 1990s. He has also been published on Liquor.com. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. He is married with two daughters, and lives in east Louisville. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at Bill@ModernThirst.com.

    Related Posts

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    November 30, 2021

    Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

    August 24, 2021

    Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

    August 20, 2021

    9 Comments

    1. Replica Oakley Sunglasses on April 22, 2014 8:30 am

      Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a reasonable price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

      Reply
      • Bill on April 22, 2014 8:58 am

        Hi- We’re at Godaddy. I’ve been very happy with them thus far.

        Reply
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