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Bourbon Review: George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon

George T. Stagg Bourbon is a highly sought-after, barrel-proof bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery.

OVERALL RATING

9
$750
  • Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant with over a decade of experience in whisky retail and online whisky education. Best known for hosting Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, he is dedicated to making whisky accessible and enjoyable by cutting through jargon and complexity.
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Tasting Notes

About:

George T Stagg (the man) was an American Civil War veteran and whiskey salesman, who after purchasing and selling many casks of O.F.C (old fashioned copper) distillery liquid, formed a business relationship with E.H.Taylor Jr. The two of them would then go on to purchase the O.F.C distillery, this would eventually become the most awarded distillery in the world, Buffalo Trace. Taylor left the company and Stagg continued with his own extravagant business and salesmanship. In 1900 the distillery was renamed The George T Stagg Distillery, this name stuck around until 1999 when it was renamed as Buffalo Trace. George T Stagg (the liquid) is an uncut, unfiltered, bombastic style of Kentucky Straight Bourbon that always leaves an impact on those who sip it. The particular review below is of a 2014 release George T. Stagg, bottled at 69.05% ABV


Appearance:
Burnt Orange
Nose:
Candy corn, vanilla extract, brown sugar, hot honey, red wine poached pears, cherry cola, Luxardo cherry syrup, old leather things, and those big, classic notes of caramel!

I’ve owned this bottle for a decade and only have about a fifth of it left. These nose when first poured was all alcohol, but once rested for a while and after constantly going back to it, it opened up into what I know as one of the best bottles of whisky I’ve ever owned.
Palate:
An instant sweet hit to peach, blackberry, apple and cherry. Then comes in this combination of mint and oak, very reminiscent of old Cognac and Armagnac.

It’s heavy and sweet, but the ABV keeps pushing to move it around your palate. One to help with the flavours, and two to avoid it burning a hole through your tongue.

Barrel char, cherry blossom, salt, dark chocolate, sour green apples, buttery pastries, blueberry muffin, cigar box, this thing just takes you everywhere.
Finish:
A slight tannic nature to it at first, but this dies off and welcomes in lush aromas and tastes of brown sugar, Barbados rum, barrel spice, freshly sawn wood, a little grassy which is quite unexpected, green apples, more poached pairs and even a Bordeaux wine note which is not unwelcome at all. It just goes on, and on, and on.
Comments:
I adore this. If I could buy a bottle of it every year for a normal price, I definitely would.

You’ll never forget a taste of any of these bottles, and after re tasting this for the first time in a while, it brings back all of the wonderful things I loved about it.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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