George T. Stagg over the years

[RyanL]

As someone that is fairly new to bourbon still I have only had a chance to try 2 different years of GTS(08 and 10). What I personally found was the 08 was a little bit smoother and easier to sip without thinking quite as much about it. the 10 was a bit more in your face with flavors and complexity that wasn't in the 08.

Upon further reasearch from another members blog(I hope it's not a big deal for me to post this but if it is someone can remove it)...

http://bourbondork.blogspot.com/2009/10/buffalo-trace-antique-collection-break.html

It seems as though GTS has been 15 year old boubon offered at different proofs each year, but always 15 years old until 2009 where it was 16yrs old and 2010 where it was 17yrs old. I haven't seen the fact sheets for these so I can only go by what he has posted(feel free to correct me if this is wrong though).

Anyway I'm just wondering how GTS has stacked up over the years for those of you that have been drinking it for awhile now, maybe since the 1st year bottling. I noticed quite a bit of difference between the 08 and 10. Was GTS fairly similar each year for a number of years until 2009 when they started offering an older bourbon? Did they tank GTS at some point to keep it at 15 years for a few of those years or has it been a new batch of 15 yr old each of those years? Any thoughts or insight from those of you out there who have been lucky enough to enjoy several or more years of this great pour would be appreciated.

Also for fun if everyone would rank their favorite years as they can remember them. I'll start and since I've only tried 2 years it will be easy for me.

1) 2010

2) 2008

[cigarnv]

I find all the GTS quite similar... as one would expect... but a few do stand out. I find I like the 2003 the best of the lot given to my palate the wood is quite reserved, it is very well balanced and it handles water very well. Sweet from the start it shows no bitterness and holds up very well in the mid-range and back end.

Glad to see you checked out the Bourbon Dork Blog.... very well done by a guy who has one of the best whiskey palates around yet does not take himself all that seriously....pleasantly refreshing.

[birdman1099]

I agree with Reid on this one..... (btw, nice avatar....:grin: )

I have found most GTS' to be quite similar. Whereas a few have stuck out (forgot which ones) when you are in the mood for a GTS, any will do....

as for BourbonDorks palate......:skep:

[Virus_Of_Life]

I don't find them that similar, definitely enough variation there to pick favorites, sure they have similarities as all things of the same 'profile' do, but I see more variation than a typical profile.

Having recently acquired extra bottles of the 2004 and 2005 I now have the entire lineup in duplicate, some triplicate, and plan to do a vertical in the not too distant future. That said the Spring 2005 and 2004 stand out, I personally was not as impressed with the 2002 or 2003 as many others but admittedly haven't worked through a full bottle of it and find tasting in single quantities not the best way to measure favorites.

Of recent years the 2010 stands out, quite a bit to me actually, and given a lot of others love for the 2009 I am looking forward to trying that one again.

The 2008 was completely unimpressive to me.

[OscarV]

I agree with Reid on this one.....

Yeah, but can Reid be trusted?

What's up with that new avatar he has?

What kind of ring is that?

Is it,... dare I say, his precious?

[callmeox]

Yeah, but can Reid be trusted?

What's up with that new avatar he has?

What kind of ring is that?

Is it,... dare I say, his precious?

I believe it is.

If you enlarge the image, you can plainly see the inscription below.

[cigarnv]

Yeah, but can Reid be trusted?

What's up with that new avatar he has?

What kind of ring is that?

Is it,... dare I say, his precious?

Oscar....Trust??? You have little faith.... of course you can trust my tasting notes. As you know I, like the paid critics, don't drink whiskey as it would distract me to the point where it would interfere with my ability to write whiskey reviews...:grin:

[hectic1]

I believe it is.

If you enlarge the image, you can plainly see the inscription below.

[ATTACH]12264[/ATTACH]

Is that the said apartment # website that a certain moderator keeps referring to?

[Virus_Of_Life]

Is that the said apartment # website that a certain moderator keeps referring to?

You catch on quick, but it's only been referred to as such once. Just make sure you don't talk about it or you'll get banned, but if you don't talk enough on it, you'll get banned also. :skep: :shocked:

On another note, Oscar, that's not really a photo of cigarnv you posted is it? I swore I met him a few years back, but maybe he's changed over the years. :lol:

[cigarnv]

Quick update... I just tried the 2010 last evening and while good still find the 2003 more to my liking. Found the 2010 a bit unbalanced and more "woody". We will see how it changes with a a few weeks of air... bottom line is all the GTS is decent whiskey...

[CorvallisCracker]

Of recent years the 2010 stands out, quite a bit to me actually, and given a lot of others love for the 2009 I am looking forward to trying that one again.

The 2008 was completely unimpressive to me.

[birdman1099]

I thought it was a pic of certain SB'r whose handle starts with J.....

[Josh]

I was not happy with the 2008 either. When it was down to 1/3 I combined it with ER SB. The result was a decent 108 proof version of ER.

I like the 2009. Been hitting my only bottle of it very sparingly. Trying to make it last, 'cause it may be the last GTS I ever buy/have.

Didn't buy a 2010. $81.95? That will almost cover two EC 18s.

I thought it was a pic of certain SB'r whose handle starts with J, and wondered why Oscar was using that...

How dare you say such things about Jwilly019! He's a great guy and doesn't deserve that.

[Jwilly019]

How dare you say such things about Jwilly019! He's a great guy and doesn't deserve that.

Did I hear my name?

[CorvallisCracker]

J ? Oh NO....:bigeyes:

:grin:

That's a definite "maybe".

[Josh]

J ? Oh NO....:bigeyes:

:grin:

That's a definite "maybe".

Oh...now I get it.

[Stones]

I'd never tried any of the Stagg's but on a get together a few months ago with CamDuncan and Hightower Cam gave me a taste of his 2004 Stagg which i found absolutely incredible! Loads of chocolate and caramel and a super lingering taste. It has encouraged me to buy some. Thumbs up!

[nor02lei]

I like the last one very much and it’s my favourite beside the 2004.

Leif

[camduncan]

I'd never tried any of the Stagg's but on a get together a few months ago with CamDuncan and Hightower Cam gave me a taste of his 2004 Stagg which i found absolutely incredible! Loads of chocolate and caramel and a super lingering taste. It has encouraged me to buy some. Thumbs up!

I'm glad you liked it. Personally I don't get the hype around GTS. I can appreciate it for what it is (a hard to find, bloody strong bourbon), but it is not something I care for. I occasionally enjoy sipping it in a social get-together, but never look for it as a drink of choice any other time. Even watered down to a modest 90 proof, I don't find the taste any better than several bourbons I've tried at the proof point... And at approx $250 to import one from the US, or $399 to buy it retail in Australia, I'll never buy one again (which means I'm one less SB.com person hunting them down )