Most Bourbon lovers are familiar with the legendary George T Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. A lot fewer have actually tried it being that a bottle is very hard to procure and it is pretty pricey, around $90. Think of Stagg Jr just as the name implies, an offspring of GTS, and like all sons, they are younger than their dad. So while the father is aged 15 to 17 years, the son, Stagg jr, is aged 8-9 years.
Stagg Jr varies in proof but is usually pretty high, our bottle clocked in at a whooping 132.1 proof. It comes in a short corked bottle with deer antlers which is somewhat different than the tall, lean GTS bottle. Jr sells for around $50 for the 750ml. When we first got a bottle of this a few years back it seemed a novelty and we didn’t review it thinking that it wouldn’t be around long or be impossible to find. Lately we have seen it in a lot of stores.
We both love, I mean LOVE the father George T Stagg. Hopefully the child won’t disappoint.
NOSE
Ron: Does not have the flaming nose that I expected with the 132 proof. Somewhat subtle and needs a little water to open up aromas of brown sugar, caramel, oak and vanilla. Also get a slight hint of white pepper. All in all a very nice nose.
Todd: It definitely opens up with some water. Upfront I get the caramel and brown sugar that Ron caught. Lingering behind this is secondary aromas of cherries, toffee, oak, raisin and vanilla. Also got a very slight presence of cinnamon.
TASTE
Ron: Most definitely needs a melted cube to bring out the tastes. Strong flavors of caramel, leather, oak and pepper dominate on the front end. Behind that I get some nice flavors of brown sugar, tobacco and cinnamon.
Todd: Too hot neat, I get nothing but the burn and maybe a little wood. With a couple of melted cubes the flavors really come out. I now get cedar and oak instead of just wood. Also get a strong taste of caramel. Some secondary flavors include leather, raisin and almonds.
FINISH
Ron: A medium-long to long malty finish with some sweetness.
Todd: Long sweet finish with more of the cedar.
OVERALL
Ron: I really enjoyed drinking Stagg Jr. A good nose and a complex taste makes for a good Bourbon.
Todd: I agree, really like this stuff. A lot happening on the nose and tongue. All followed by a nice finish.
Nose 4.25 out of 5
Taste 8.75 out of 10
Finish 4.25 out of 5
Total score 17.25 out of 20 Barrels
Well the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. While not quite as good as pops, Stagg Jr is a very good Bourbon and a lot easier to find. The price is a little on the high side but with such a high proof you can cut it liberally with water, thus bringing the overall cost down.
Our Recommendation, Even if you have to save up a little, go out and buy a bottle. You will thanks us even if you only take a small drink every other month or so. Enjoy.