BOTM 2/15: Stagg Jr.

[fishnbowljoe]

Well, I finally came up with a BOTM. :banghead: Better late than never.

It's the middle of winter now. What better way to ward off the chill than with a pour or two of Stagg Jr.?

FWIW, I'm gonna put my two cents worth in for a change. :skep:

I gave up on GTS after 2011. For me, the depth of flavors to be found in GTS were just too hard to reach because of the heat/proof. For some unknown reason, when Stagg Jr. came out in 2013, it really interested me. I thought it might be better than it's big brother. Cheaper too. I bought a bottle from the very first batch. Darn! Same old story. It was okay, but it was tough for me to get by the proof. That was the last bottle I ever bought. Now to possibly reverse course a bit. :crazy: I've been out and about a bit the last few weeks. I've had pours of Stagg Jr. at a couple of different places recently. Maybe I've changed, or maybe it's my palate, or maybe it's the Stagg Jr. itself. Who knows? The pours I've had recently were decidedly better than what I remember my bottle tasting like two years ago. The nose had that slight musty rick house smell that I like in a bourbon. Lot's of flavors going on too. Hints of leather, light pepper, cocoa and caramel/pecan. Pretty darned good IMHO. I know where I can grab a bottle or two, but I'm just not sure I want to shell out $60 for a bottle. Oh well. (sigh) :confused:

Cheers to y'all, and happy posting.

Joe

[R-Savage]

60 bucks????? wow!!!!!! I saw a place up here in the Great White North and it is going for $89.99. Im tempted to pick up a bottle because of the hype of Stagg. Is it really worth it?

[GaryT]

I am also on my first bottle, having bought it the first time I saw it. I was super excited about this one, probably the most anticipated new release that I can remember, which didn't help it (I mean - living up to the hype would have been challenging). And the hype wasn't their fault - it was primarily self-induced I paid $50 for that bottle, and was underwhelmed. I think that ECBP coming out prior (and for $39!) moved the bar, and kinda spoiled it (or me!) But I've revisited it after many months, and found it to not be quite as hot (although it isn't tame by any means!) The price has gone up, and shelling out $60 would be a stretch for me. While I do enjoy it - it isn't a must have in my book, and I nurse my Stagg Sr enough that hopefully I'll always have some of that on-hand

[Richnimrod]

I like Stagg, Jr. for an 'on-the-rocks' pour. It's a little harsh without the ice or a good bit of water. I have noted subtle differences from batch to batch; but all of the ones I've tried share that slightly harsh quality; not just the high proof; more like somewhat unpolished or unfinished...? Anyway, for a bit more coin than ECBP, I'd have to say it isn't my first choice, and that seems to be the closest comparison. But, I guess, since I do own several bottles, and all but one are opened; I like it well enough to drink it once in a while... usually over a good-sized cube... and enjoy it quite well.

[dcbt]

I usually bottle up a 750mL of Stagg Jr diluted down to 100 proof. I've always been a BT fan so this suits me well. I'll pick up a bottle whenever I see it reasonably priced, which seems to be fairly often here. Not too much price gouging on this one for the most part around here. It's never that hard to find, either, which is nice. Certainly not as hard to find as ECBP here, which never even gets to a shelf like Stagg Jr does.

[flahute]

I bought a bottle of batch 1 in the fall of 2013 as a consolation for sleeping on the BTAC release an missing out. The hype was far too much to live up to, but it was still the closest thing I had to Sr. so I did enjoy it from time to time. When I finally was able to get ECBP a few months later, my opinion of Stagg Jr. dropped a bit due to the value comparison so it languished on the shelf for a while. Then, I had the idea to start mixing in some standard BT and voila, it was back in the rotation as a favorite pour. The BT brought the proof down and softened the hard edges of JR. I finished that bottle quickly. I'm currently on my second bottle of batch 1 and it's rougher so I'm going through it slower. I have a bottle of batch 3 open as well, and that one is pretty nice on it's own.

[Merrymash Monk]

Hi Fishnbowl,

Just curious if you tried this one with water. I found that it stands up to a fair amount of it without getting drown out. It is plenty complex and strong and at BP the water really enhances things.

Edited February 7, 2015 by Merrymash Monk

[fishnbowljoe]

Hi Fishnbowl,

Just curious if you tried this one with water. I found that it stands up to a fair amount of it without getting drown out. It is plenty complex and strong and at BP the water really enhances things.

[TunnelTiger]

Haven't tried it yet and with my new local price @ $89.99 doubt that I will but to those that do like it enjoy. :toast:

[mbroo5880i]

I got a bottle of the first batch. It was pretty hot and a little harsh (as noted by Rich) without diluting either with ice, water or, my preference, BT. I tried to take it down to between 100 and 105 proof. I found the profile to be very similar to CEHT once I got it down in that range. I paid $39.99 for my bottle, I think. I ended up not replacing it. Mainly, because it disappeared for a while and then when it reappeared so did ECBP. I seem to recall the price being $49.99 the last time I saw it but that has been several months ago.

I understand that later batches are a little more refined. It seemed like the first batch required a little work to find a sweet spot to enjoy it. I found it and think it is worth another purchase in the future. I am not certain that I would pay more than $49.99. However, the way prices are going up, finding it at that price or even slightly higher might be difficult in today's market.

[PaulO]

I tried it. It reminds me of Charter 101 at a higher proof. It's ok. I have passed many times at MSRP.

[BigBoldBully]

Having bought a few Stagg "Sr." at $70 and enjoyed them thoroughly, I admit that I have a mental block about paying close to (or over) that amount for the younger, less well-regarded version. But I did get a chance to have one drink of the newer stuff (not sure which batch), and was thoroughly unimpressed. Hot, raw, not even close what I would consider a true premium bourbon. Nowadays whenever I think of Stagg Jr. I tend to ponder questions like, "If a lot of us keep willingly paying more and more for less and less, we may lose all chance of having a market where producers/retailers offer great bourbon at an affordable price."

Edited February 8, 2015 by BigBoldBully

[garbanzobean]

I'm in the minority here in that I prefer Stagg Jr. to ECBP. Nothing really explains why, but I definitely enjoyed it for $44.99, enough that I bunkered one. No real expectations, I guess. Price has gone up to $48 and much higher. I'd buy it again for $50ish, or trade away my last ECBP for another (please don't PM me about that, I'm not soliciting offers with this post). It's at an age I like, and reminds me of a bourbon spiked brownie. It definitely has rough edges, but lets me know I'm alive. What can I say? ECBP is all smooth rounded edges, but Stagg Jr. has heart, soul, and a cantankerous personality that I find endearing.

FWIW, comparing Stagg Jr to GTS is a losing proposition. Don't bother.

[petrel800]

FWIW, comparing Stagg Jr to GTS is a losing proposition. Don't bother.

[CorvallisCracker]

No it's not GTS, but the last third of the one bottle bought to date went into Ron's Four Grain 2.0 and it worked well for that. If I want to make more of that I guess I need to buy another bottle.

Oregon price is still $49.95, and the OLCC database shows that the liquor store a mile from my workplace has five bottles. Decisions, decisions...

[dcbt]

No it's not GTS, but the last third of the one bottle bought to date went into Ron's Four Grain 2.0 and it worked well for that.QUOTE]

I've done the same thing and enjoyed it. Ron's 4 Grain also works well with MMCS, 1783, and BT for a little less heat.

[CorvallisCracker]

Ron's 4 Grain also works well with MMCS, 1783, and BT for a little less heat.

That would be the current NAS version of the EW 1783? I've used EWSB since 1783 went NAS.

[dcbt]

That would be the current NAS version of the EW 1783? I've used EWSB since 1783 went NAS.

Yea, current NAS version of 1783. Ron's 4 Grain gets harder and harder to duplicate with each passing year.

[CorvallisCracker]

Oregon price is still $49.95, and the OLCC database shows that the liquor store a mile from my workplace has five bottles. Decisions, decisions...

Saw it was batch 3, reportedly better, so I bought one.

[JonRob]

It's an easy pass when ever I see it around. I would much rather have ECBP for a few $ more. I love Stagg... But the Jr is just to damn hot right out the bottle to enjoy.

[DonutsNBourbon]

it is definitely very good on the nose and the first taste is amazing, but the finish is quite hot and tingly on the tongue, some water helps with this though. it's something I'll have to go back and try again though to sort through my impressions of this fine bourbon.

[WAINWRIGHT]

This is probably one of the most anticipated releases that left me the most disappointed. This is a raw,hot and exceptionally dry bourbon.I had high hopes and have only been let down not even a shadow of what its older brother is.All proof and no polish is all I've got to say and is priced at clearance levels at stores all across my area.

[dcbt]

This is probably one of the most anticipated releases that left me the most disappointed. This is a raw,hot and exceptionally dry bourbon.I had high hopes and have only been let down not even a shadow of what its older brother is..

Just curious, would you have been as disappointed if they called it Buffalo Trace Barrel Proof instead? It's been mentioned ad nauseam here, but BT didn't do themselves any favors with the name.

[WAINWRIGHT]

If they would have sold it at $20 and called it anything you so desire I'd still despise it,just very unsuited to my palate and obviously quite a few others as it is the only limited I've seen gather dust in this current bourbon boom.

[smokinjoe]

I filed this review on SB in September of 2013 upon my first try of Stagg Jr.. I still feel the same about it, and continue to enjoy it. Interesting to hear that the latest batch may be toned down a bit. Not sure that will make it better for me, but I will welcome the opportunity to compare it with the first batch to see for myself.

"I had an opportunity to spend some time with this today. No, don't call this Bambi. Ruttin' Young Buck, is more like it, I think. There ain't nothin' doe eyed with skinny legs, and big eyelashes about this whiskey. If GTS is the regal and distinguished head of the BP herd, then Stagg Jr. is that young buck feeling his oats. Where GTS's monstrous qualities are seasoned with 16+ years of aging, and astute barrel selection at BT, the Stagg Jr. is just a precocious youngster ready to lock horns. He's just not his daddy, but he's not supposed to be, is he...Fiery, young, unpolished, and brash. But, as I think Sean alluded to, there are some things in this whiskey that give notice to its exquisite lineage. Nice nose, that does well with a few minutes for the heat to waft off from the glass. Then, there is some very nice brown sugar, toffee, butterscotch, and even slight cherry notes over the palate. Big rye kick throughout. The finish is rambunctious, too. One last gore from the rack.

$50? Worth every penny to me. You want to compare it unfavorably to ECBP? Fine. That's OK, and I probably won't argue with you. But, this is a fine, whiskey in itself. I'll say this, some similarly aged 4R barrel proof selections are wonderful whiskies that rightfully get a lot of love on these boards. But, I would take this Stagg Jr. over a couple of those..."