Bourbon

Whiskey Review: George T. Stagg 2017

We review George T. Stagg 2017, the "powerhouse favorite" cask-strength bourbon released each year as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

OVERALL RATING

9
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes

About:

129.2 proof, 15 years old
Appearance:
Warm, orangey amber
Nose:
Well, yep, it’s bourbon. A bright, fruity handshake introduces caramel, vanilla, fresh tobacco leaf, and leather, with a firm oak texture and just the right amount of vaporous tingle. Pretty darn canonical.
Palate:
Spice leads off, with a flash of fresh, fruity flavors in the mid-palate before settling into a lovely array of chocolate fudge, leather, tobacco, and polished wood. There’s a strong mineral backbone, too, with more spice—nutmeg, pepper, clove—coming through in the finish. Lush and flamboyant, this is classic bourbon with presence and chutzpa. Water kills it. I tend to prefer cask strength whiskey with a bit of dilution, but this one seems to be at just the right proof.
Finish:
Comments:
George T. Stagg manages to be bold yet graceful, masculine yet nuanced. It hits every bourbon button head on, and somehow manages to be dangerously drinkable even at this huge proof. Nice work, Buffalo Trace—this is my favorite of the 2017 Antique Collection.

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.

Margarett Waterbury

Margarett Waterbury is the author of "Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland's Whiskies" and a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the beverage industry. Her work has graced the pages of numerous publications, including Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, and many others. She also boasts editorial experience as the former managing editor of Edible Portland and as a co-founder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash. In recognition of her talent, Margarett received the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award in 2017 and was awarded fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash