Stagg Jr.

[JohnHansell]

I don't want to miss this opportunity to direct some kudos to Hansell for including the explanation of how he received the samples from HH on the EC review in this same link. After the mudslinging directed at whiskey reviewers (Hansell included), where literally their integrity and credibility were unfairly brought into question (in my opinion, anyway) in the "Do Reviewers Get Honey Barrels?" Thread/Poll, I think he shows he's got a good chin. He could have thrown some snarky comments in there as to why he included the explanation, but instead, he handled it like a real pro.

:toast:

I'da been as snarky as crap...

I appreciate the kind words. (And yes, I am a regular visitor to SB.com and comment when I feel appropriate. This is a great forum.) I really do try to be completely honest. I know that people will have their doubts, and not everyone will agree with me, but my heart is in the right place and always will be. I am a whiskey lover first, not a writer. And always will be.

[mbroo5880i]

Many are comparing this to older, more expensive barrel proof selections. But I see it more like Booker's in terms of age, price and being uncut and unfiltered. I realize the difference between OC and JB, but I like options and this seems like a good one, particularly for those who like bourbon from BT. Even if it tastes like strong, unfiltered OC, I will be happy!

Yeah, I like OC10 which is odd since I typically prefer lower corn, higher rye bourbon. I would be interested in trying an OC BP.

[HighInTheMtns]

I just don't get the "this is OC" stuff... Sure, it's OC, and it's ER, and it's BT... it's all the same off the still. They surely aren't using all the barrels that would have been OC10, because they're selecting for a different profile.

Doesn't mean I'm gonna buy one though.

[Brisko]

Well, I stopped in my local store last night to pick up a bottle of wine for my wife, and the owner flagged me down and said, "we've got some Stagg Jr!" He also had a case of Forgiven which he knew nothing about so I told him the "story."

Anyway, I told him I would think about coming back today for the Stagg Jr. He set one aside for me. I'm probably going to pick it up tonight-- I'm a sucker I guess. I probably won't like it based on John Hansell's description but I'll try it. What the heck. It's barrel proof...decent aged. I think the price is fair actually (shock coming from me, I know). If nothing else I'll be able to Gillmanize it.

[TunnelTiger]

You got Stagg Jr & Forgiven already on your shelves! Damn I do live in the sticks.

Edited August 16, 2013 by TunnelTiger
spelling

[squire]

Living in the sticks limits temptation.

[tanstaafl2]

You got Stagg Jr & Forgiven already on your shelves! Damn I do live in the sticks.

[portwood]

Living in the sticks limits temptation.

Pure genius - another squire-ism

[Brisko]

Well, I gave into the temptation and bought a bottle. I guess I'll be the voice of dissent and say that it's really pretty good. I just had a little pour before supper: tried it neat and later added an ice cube. A lot of zing on the tongue, almost a root beer kind of flavor. It's definitely heavy on the oak but it's an elegant oakiness, much like I find in the PHC Wheated, for instance, and unlike its stable-mate Eagle Rare 10. Maybe not the most complex but I think it compares favorably to say, better examples of Booker's or Knob Single Barrel (I'd put it closer to Booker's in concept, though).

I haven't had GTS so I can't compare it to that, but I'm not sure it's a fair comparison.

I missed out on ECBP I can't compare it to that either but I certainly don't regret buying it. For barrel proof BT whiskey I think the price is decent, too, when you consider where some of their other products are priced.

[squire]

I believe it is a good price and if nothing else it could add some oomph to a blend.

[MJB]

I just poured some Stagg Jr and ECBP batch 2 to do a comparison. Ill post some pictures and a brief review later. Take it for what its worth as I'm no expert.

[Old Dusty]

I guess I'll be the voice of dissent .

Please do and don't be bashful about it. Very healthy for these boards not to fall into a heard mentality. Lord knows that's where the flippers are. Group Think is dangerous and we don't need to validate each other but rather be a resource to consider possibilities and alternatives we may not have otherwise noticed. The best advice here almost always comes with the admonition that YMMV.

[mbroo5880i]

Please do and don't be bashful about it. Very healthy for these boards not to fall into a heard mentality. Lord knows that's where the flippers are. Group Think is dangerous and we don't need to validate each other but rather be a resource to consider possibilities and alternatives we may not have otherwise noticed. The best advice here almost always comes with the admonition that YMMV.

[smokinjoe]

Please do and don't be bashful about it. Very healthy for these boards not to fall into a heard mentality. Lord knows that's where the flippers are. Group Think is dangerous and we don't need to validate each other but rather be a resource to consider possibilities and alternatives we may not have otherwise noticed. The best advice here almost always comes with the admonition that YMMV.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Still not available in ky. They could have flipped the barrels end over end from Frankfort to Louisville 3 times by now.

When Steve and I visited BT over 3 weeks ago it was bottled at that point.

Makes very little sense but we will deal with it.

Looks as though Steve and I will be at the all star sampler (and the gazebo if it is jumping on Wednesday night).

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Awesome post! Spot on. I nominate this for post of the year.

:toast:

Agreed. Stagg jr has some giant shoes to fill. Ec12bp was a huge surprise. Far greater than its namesake.

If stagg jr is similar to some of the barrel strength BT samples (8-9yr old) we tried, we are in good shape.

[Brisko]

Further evaluation confirms my earlier impressions. I like it and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

/YMMV, of course.

[Stormeh]

YMMV, but Old Dusty is an asshole. =D

I kid I kid.

Edited August 17, 2013 by Stormeh

[BFerguson]

I'm with Brisko on this one. Much better that what my expectations had been set up to be.

As compared to the ECBP, I think the Stagg has a much better "mouth feel", kinda of silky, if not slightly viscous. ECBP runs a little rougher.

I added some water right off the bat, no clouding like the ECBP. Not that clouding bothers me. But i do believe everything that I've read stated that this was a non-chill filtered product, so not clouding came as a surprise.

Only disappointment, and its minor, not much next morning glass smell. Almost no lingering aroma's at all.

It's on my buy list if i see another one.

B

[BoyScout]

Scored today and Lord willing my son-in-law and I will do a comparison taste tomorrow night along with a good cigar. Report to follow. I promised the store owner a report as well and I usually try to share a taste with my favorite stores in order to stay in their good graces.

[GaryT]

Scored today and Lord willing my son-in-law and I will do a comparison taste tomorrow night along with a good cigar. Report to follow. I promised the store owner a report as well and I usually try to share a taste with my favorite stores in order to stay in their good graces.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]16445[/ATTACH]

Probably not a fair comparison, but sharing two great drams with family - can't get much better than that! Enjoy!

[squire]

Son in law first, store owner second, I admire a man who has his priorities straight.

[GaryT]

Thanks to the kindness of a fellow SB member, got a quick taste of Stagg Jr today - and liked it better than I thought I might. Not sure if I'll pick one up (more for budgetary reasons than anything else at this point!), but glad to have had the chance to try it first!

[MyOldKyDram]

Hows it compare to the ECBP Gary? That's it's most natural competition IMO and jc.

[Bootlegger1929]

Has this hit Chicago yet? I haven't seen or heard anything. I missed ECBP, sadly, and would love to pick one of these up..