Stagg Jr.

[fishnbowljoe]

I stand impeached :bigeyes:. Correct language credited to Squire...it's what we are, it's what we do. I was writing from memory, before checking back to the source, just like those big time journalists :grin:.

You're only allowed one faux pas per year Thad. You're really gonna have to be on the ball for the next four and a half months. We'll be watching. :slappin:

[GaryT]

Unfortunately, in today's market, you have to buy now, evaluate after. Luckily, you have the BX to resolve any buyer's remorse.

I didn't think anyone would buy a "mostly full" bottle Although to Joe's point - if friends of mine like it more than I, could probably make some arrangement.

[LostBottle]

I am not surprised..frankly I think the success of BTAC and PVW has gone to their heads at Buffalo Trace. I don't do Twitter and Facebook but my BIL does and many of the posts of Julian Van Winkle are very elitist and in your face about how PVW has become unobtanium.

The Van Winkles have certainly become arrogant and recent interviews prove it. The irony is that the quality of their products has been in decline. At the end of the day, they are simply salesman who own a brand and a few Buffalo Trace barrels. They are not distillers, not artisans, not even people who have Stitzel-Weller whiskey, they are simply masterful marketers who have learned how to manipulate consumers (admittedly, the goal of marketing) and obfuscate what is in those bottles.

Edited August 13, 2013 by LostBottle

[tanstaafl2]

The villainous Stagg Jr, poor reviews and all, has invaded Atlanta. As a try it for myself kind of guy and because it is very limited (only 3 bottles at my store) I went ahead and took the plunge while I had the chance.

At least the bottle is kinda purdy! Robert Parker would probably like it...

[ChainWhip]

I like that lamp over your table

[TunnelTiger]

Looking forward to a Jawga tasting review!

[GaryT]

The villainous Stagg Jr, poor reviews and all, has invaded Atlanta. As a try it for myself kind of guy and because it is very limited (only 3 bottles at my store) I went ahead and took the plunge while I had the chance.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]16414[/ATTACH]

At least the bottle is kinda purdy! Robert Parker would probably like it...

Looks like it is still sealed?? I'm confused? Looking forward to hearing whatcha think!

[tanstaafl2]

Looks like it is still sealed?? I'm confused? Looking forward to hearing whatcha think!

After two nights of heavy beer consumption I thought I might let my palate, and the rest of me, have a day or two to recover! Yeah, I know, I am getting soft in my old age...

[BFerguson]

By the end of the week should have one in hand, got word from the whiskey monger that the product was in, holding at least one for me.

Should be a nce end of the week, plus he has a Parker's blend on hold for me also.

:grin:

B

[MJB]

I read the poor reviews as well and I still picked up two bottles today. I opened mine as soon as I got home and I have to say so far its good, its not great. Ill do a full tasting review on it some time this week.

[LostBottle]

...and another bad review. Is it true this stuff is really just rebadged Old Charter (same mash bill and coincidentally recently discontinued)?

http://www.bourbonbanter.com/bourbon-reviews/stagg-jr-bourbon-review/

[callmeox]

As Squire said earlier: "here a blogger, there a blogger . . . Old McBlogger had a farm." Here is a good review: http://www.drinkhacker.com/2013/08/04/review-stagg-jr-bourbon/ Ultimately, it is a matter of personal taste.

Changing the default font and color makes your posts unreadable by many, including myself.

[squire]

So if you want to charge more for the same stuff just rebadge, rebrand, relaunch and all is forgiven.

[tanstaafl2]

So if you want to charge more for the same stuff just rebadge, rebrand, relaunch and all is forgiven.

But it isn't the same stuff. Even if some of the barrels that might have gone to OC are now in Stagg Jr. Most importantly it was 80 proof in OC versus 134 now and if the are using even a little more care in picking barrels then $40 or so doesn't seem unreasonable. $50 is a little steep but there is where the Stagg name bonus come in.

No doubt the name adds some cost to the bottom line but OC 8 was probably relatively underpriced in todays market ($17ish?). Yes, I know there are others around 8 years at a similar or even lower price that some may feel was just as good or better and I have no first hand experience with OC. They probably couldn't increase the OC price because it had little or no brand recognition despite the fact that todays market would likely have been able to absorb it. If they have found a way to make a bit more profit and that keeps the company healthy for the long haul then it probably is a benefit in the end. Who knows when the next glut and hard times in the business are going to happen?

And I don't think the ECBP is not a good comparison because lots of people here would likely have paid more than $40 to buy it. I know I would and did. We are just fortunate that HH is a private company and seems to have less need to push the price envelope. With some things anyway. EC20/21 certainly pushed the price envelope plenty.

[zillah]

And I don't think the ECBP is not a good comparison because lots of people here would likely have paid more than $40 to buy it. I know I would and did. We are just fortunate that HH is a private company and seems to have less need to push the price envelope. With some things anyway. EC20/21 certainly pushed the price envelope plenty.

I am pretty sure that Buffalo Trace AKA Sazerac is a privately held company as well. With that said, HH definately pushes the value proposition more than BT.

[tanstaafl2]

I am pretty sure that Buffalo Trace AKA Sazerac is a privately held company as well. With that said, HH definately pushes the value proposition more than BT.

Yes, you are right. But they are larger (the largest distilling company in the US if wiki is to be believed) and certainly far more "corporate" (some seem to view that as automatically a dirty word. I am not one of those) than Heaven Hill which is still quite large but is not only private but single family owned and controlled.

[Josh]

Has Drink Hacker ever given anything a negative review?

[squire]

tan while mostly agreeing I believe it's reasonable to say two bottles of whisky from the same dump batch are in fact the same stuff irrespective of proof.

Having said that I believe Stagg Jr. is certainly worth $49.95. It is fully aged (average 10 years), barrel proof and comes from a maker who is fully disclosive about mash bill and other details. Compared to what the NDPs would charge it is a very good price. Whether the flavor justifies the price I cannot say not having a bottle on hand but I will read with interest the tasting posts of those who can give a first hand impression.

Fully aged and barrel proof is a good trend I fully support. If 10 year Charter is to be discontinued to supply the new brand then so be it. This is something for which I would pay the higher cost, once anyway.

[LostBottle]

Unfortunately, I do not see an age statement on that Stagg Jr bottle. I would certainly want older whiskey to come to market on the first go around in order to give good impressions, after that they can pull a Weller and put younger juice in the bottle since they are not bound by that pesky stated age thing.

On another note, if this really is barrel proof Old Charter, it should cost roughly $25.50 ($17*1.5). Priced at $50, a 100% price increase, that certainly makes for a nice profit increase for BT. Oh, the magic of a brand name...

Edited August 15, 2013 by LostBottle

[tanstaafl2]

tan while mostly agreeing I believe it's reasonable to say two bottles of whisky from the same dump batch are in fact the same stuff irrespective of proof.

Having said that I believe Stagg Jr. is certainly worth $49.95. It is fully aged (average 10 years), barrel proof and comes from a maker who is fully disclosive about mash bill and other details. Compared to what the NDPs would charge it is a very good price. Whether the flavor justifies the price I cannot say not having a bottle on hand but I will read with interest the tasting posts of those who can give a first hand impression.

Fully aged and barrel proof is a good trend I fully support. If 10 year Charter is to be discontinued to supply the new brand then so be it. This is something for which I would pay the higher cost, once anyway.

[squire]

I should add Stagg Jr. is NAS and I'm relying on press releases for the 9 - 11 year age statements. I know, I know, that's not Gospel or anything and if the brand proves popular future batches may include 6 - 8 -10 - 12 year old whiskys in the mix. I like to think there is some care exercised in the selection of barrels but would rather see them batched than bottled as singles.

I sould think any fully aged barrel proof expression from a major house is worth at least $40.00 though.

[smokinjoe]

Yes, Stagg Jr. big and bold like the original George T. Stagg, but it is harsher and more aggressive (with the spice and oak notes) than George T. Stagg. I just don’t enjoy it.

http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2013/08/12/some-new-whiskeys-i-like-and-some-i-dont-like-part-1/

Edited August 15, 2013 by smokinjoe

[mbroo5880i]

Haven't seen this stuff in the Indy area. Has it shown up in the Louisville area yet?

[GaryT]

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...

[squire]

We are awash with barrel proof selections and who among us is without temptation.