Geroge Stagg, barrel proof...

[wildcatdon]

My friend just bought a bottle of George Stagg,incut 144 proof bourbon..Havent tasted it yet..Has anyone had it..They were putting it out on the shelves friday at Liquor Barn and he got one..What kind of taste should I expect? Is this smooth or so strong you cant enjoy it? Thanks...

[BourbonJoe]

At 144 proof it'll certainly test your mettle.

Joe :usflag:

[Phischy]

All I can say is that it is "BIG". I was drinking the '06 on Saturday...it's good, but may need to be cut with a wee bit o water.

[wildcatdon]

I will be very careful...lol...sounds like good advice..

[cowdery]

You can use the search function to find out a lot about the George T. Stagg bourbon. Most people here consider it an outstanding bourbon.

As for the proof, just because something is bottled at a high proof doesn't mean you are expected to drink it that way. It's more a way of giving the consumer the product exactly as it came from the barrel--all whiskey, no added water. The idea is for you to dilute it to your taste.

A good way to drink something like this is to pour a little into a glass, smell it carefully, then take a very small sip. Essentially, let your saliva dilute it. Get a little sense of it that way, then add a little room-temperature water. Sip again. If it still seems too strong, add a little more water.

Drinking Stagg is more like climbing a mountain than like taking a walk in the park. Both can be satisfying but there is more of a challenge involved in something like Stagg, not just because of its proof but also due to its advanced age, which gives it a very powerful woodiness.

As with mountain climbing, proceed with caution and you should be fine.

[Gillman]

Dilution really does help overcome excess woodiness, too.

I found this with Weller Antique 107 I had last night and also Four Roses Barrel Strength. Sometimes you need to add only a little water to bring such whiskeys into perfect balance.

The water dilutes the wood's effect, it makes it less tanic and acid (often).

Gary

[ACDetroit]

I'm all for a little water in the Stagg, but you guys are killing me already!!!:grin:

Has anyone sampled the HazMat IV or the deuce double "o" seven! I get my first bottle tomorrow, and I'm dieing to know??

Anyone? Bueller?...Bueller? Has anyone seen Bueller?

Tony

[Phischy]

I"m hoping it hits the shelves here this week. Nothing confirmed by any sources yet! If it does, then I may be making lunchtime runs to different stores!

[polyamnesia]

i admit, i got some nice tones last night...but they were quickly sent scurrying like the chipmunks in my backyard once my taste buds melted...

i did let the saliva do it's thing, but even after a touch of water, i was blunted for the evening!

not that it burned or anything. but i got a sense of fogginess on my tongue sides/edges....

will not drink it barefoot in the leaves tonight!

boots. and a touch of water...

[gothbat]

not that it burned or anything. but i got a sense of fogginess on my tongue sides/edges....

If I drink GTS straight I can feel the texture of the inside of my mouth (cheeks, tongue, lips) change when I take the first sip. It's hard to describe but it's a rubbery and dry feeling. Sometimes it makes my tongue white and crinkly too. Although this doesn't really bother me I've been diluting for this reason since I have no idea what it's doing elsewhere in my body.

[fairbrook]

my first post..hello all......my notes for the current geo. stagg:

george t stagg uncut/unfiltered barrel proof 15 year old kentucky straight bourbon whiskey - 72.4% / 144.8 proof

color: rich caramel

nose: brown sugar, pecans, raisins

mouthfeel: immediate soft blanketing of the top and sides of mouth, cheeks with a velvet glow....the alcohol is prominent and grows intense on the tonguetip and inside the bottom lip...it lasts quite a long while

taste: pralines, butter, brown sugar, the alcohol taste is coated with an eggnog flavor, nutmeg, corn, soft lemon

nose with a splash of water: caramel, sugar

taste with a splash of water: the flavors dissipate and you get just a watered down version of the original....

best neat if you can handle it.....this is genuinely a "sipping" bourbon...not even a mouthfull, a sip big enough to coat the tongue and swish around the mouths/gums.......sit back and let it laaaaaaaaaaast.......

i really wish i had better words to describe this one

intense...

[ACDetroit]

Fairbrook! Dude great notes, I think you found the words just fine! and for a first post that's quite impressive.

Head over to the new to the site if you get a chance, the group can get to know your likes and maybe share some bottles to pick up!

Any way welcome from the Motor City. Hope you enjoy your stay here it really is fun.

PS. I get that lower lip thing with the 07 Stagg as well (funny you mentioned that).

Tony

[fairbrook]

thanks for the welcome....i will post an introduction.,...

[Phischy]

New guy always buys the first round....dems da rules!

[polyamnesia]

it's impressive stuff....i did roughly follow suggestions by a few folks...tony, i eyeballed a rough estimate of your ratio...poured some GTS in the glass...and then a fraction-of-that-amount SPLASH of water

it is tasty and has alot of depth. ESPECIALLY "watered" down...or should i say, hosed down!

i still want to go neat again with the Stagg...maybe saturday night....but after i've enjoyed the subtle, peppery taste of this new WT RR 101!

that Stagg certainly does numb the tongue

[Uncle Bob]

It's been a long wait, but my main supplier just called! I'll have three bottles in da house tonight...I'm excited!!!

Fun!

[DrinkyBanjo]

I tried the new Stagg last weekend. I enjoyed it very much. Basically what I expect out of GTS.

[Stickeng]

I picked up my GTS last week and saving it for XMas Eve! I can't wait!

[HipFlask]

I seem to like this just the way it is. No anything other GTS in the glass. I received some for my B-Day and was prepared to tone it down with water but I never felt the need. No melted tongue. But I seem to like them many years in the barrel and at high proof so I suppose this fits both bills. Anyway you drink this one you will find an amazing and complex whiskey. To your health my friends!

[JRomain]

It's so strong, you can't enjoy it. In fact, that's actually WHY they chose to bottle it. ;-)

[squire]

I like Stagg but not at full strength. That high a proof numbs my palate and disguises other taste sensations. Grand Dad 114 is about as high octane whiskey as I care for.

Squire