AVB
Jesus of Cool, I'm bad, I'm nationwide
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
- 23,502
George T Stagg, Kentucky Straight Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey, 15 years old, 750 ml, 142.7 proof, about $40-45.
George T. Stagg is one potent bourbon. 2002's best whiskey in the world is well worth finding. One of only 2 whiskies to recieve a 97 rating from renowned expert Jim Murray, the other being a 25 year old Ardbeg. He had this to say in the 2003 edition of the Whiskey Bible: "without a shadow of a doubt ... one of the two best whiskies it has ever been my luck and privilege to taste in nearly 30 years". Who am I to disagree?
This bottle is even a few proof higher than the first one I bought last year (136.4). There is no water cut and no filtering of this drink. While there is no age statement on the bottle I contacted the distillery to confirm that it is 15 years old.
Like a good scotch it becomes a bit cloudy when ice or water is added. You WILL add water to this, I found that a shot of water and an ice cube for every 2 shots of bourbon works best for me.
Bourbon gains strength as it ages because the new oak barrels absorb the water faster then the alcohol can evaporate thus increasing the proof. 15 years ago this cask was probably only 105-110 proof and clear. Now it is a deep amber 140+ proof bourbon lovers dream.
As strong as this is, once cut it is eminently drinkable. The nose of old tobacco, smoke, licorice and apples are released as the first drops of water are added. Tasting confirms what the nose sent to the brain. This is a very sweet bourbon but the sweetness carries the other flavors instead of masking them. The smoke is not the same as in Scotch, not the burning embers smoke but a smoke in the wind type smoke. I have no idea how a licorice taste shows up but it is there for me and seems to fit perfectly.
If George T. Stagg was cut like other whiskey to 94 proof you would have to take this 750 ml bottle, dump it into a 1 liter container and then fill it up with water. $40 a liter makes this a pretty good buy if you just compare volume. However, you only need to compare the taste and this $40 bottle becomes a bargain.
GTS bottlings and proofs:
2002 - 137.6
2003 - 142.7
2004 - 129
2005 (Fall Release) - 141.2
2005 (spring KY release) - 130.9
2005 (spring outside KY release) - 131.8
2006 - 140.6
2007 - 144.6
2008 - 141.8
2009 - 141.4
***** :thumbs: My highest recommendation.
George T. Stagg is one potent bourbon. 2002's best whiskey in the world is well worth finding. One of only 2 whiskies to recieve a 97 rating from renowned expert Jim Murray, the other being a 25 year old Ardbeg. He had this to say in the 2003 edition of the Whiskey Bible: "without a shadow of a doubt ... one of the two best whiskies it has ever been my luck and privilege to taste in nearly 30 years". Who am I to disagree?
This bottle is even a few proof higher than the first one I bought last year (136.4). There is no water cut and no filtering of this drink. While there is no age statement on the bottle I contacted the distillery to confirm that it is 15 years old.
Like a good scotch it becomes a bit cloudy when ice or water is added. You WILL add water to this, I found that a shot of water and an ice cube for every 2 shots of bourbon works best for me.
Bourbon gains strength as it ages because the new oak barrels absorb the water faster then the alcohol can evaporate thus increasing the proof. 15 years ago this cask was probably only 105-110 proof and clear. Now it is a deep amber 140+ proof bourbon lovers dream.
As strong as this is, once cut it is eminently drinkable. The nose of old tobacco, smoke, licorice and apples are released as the first drops of water are added. Tasting confirms what the nose sent to the brain. This is a very sweet bourbon but the sweetness carries the other flavors instead of masking them. The smoke is not the same as in Scotch, not the burning embers smoke but a smoke in the wind type smoke. I have no idea how a licorice taste shows up but it is there for me and seems to fit perfectly.
If George T. Stagg was cut like other whiskey to 94 proof you would have to take this 750 ml bottle, dump it into a 1 liter container and then fill it up with water. $40 a liter makes this a pretty good buy if you just compare volume. However, you only need to compare the taste and this $40 bottle becomes a bargain.
GTS bottlings and proofs:
2002 - 137.6
2003 - 142.7
2004 - 129
2005 (Fall Release) - 141.2
2005 (spring KY release) - 130.9
2005 (spring outside KY release) - 131.8
2006 - 140.6
2007 - 144.6
2008 - 141.8
2009 - 141.4
***** :thumbs: My highest recommendation.
