Stagg Bourbon Batch 18
Stagg Jr. was first announced in 2013, and with its junior designation it was expected to be a more widely available version of its counterpart released annually as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. In 2021, Buffalo Trace announced that Batch 18 would be the first batch to lose “Jr.” from its name and simply be called, “Stagg.” We awarded Stagg Jr. Batch 12 the Best Whiskey of 2019.
Nose
A heavy caramel scent with a raspberry accent is forward and direct. It has a dominating presence over softer scents of orange, green apple, sharpie marker, and cinnamon oak. It coalesces into an enjoyable aroma, though it doesn’t overly impress. This is largely due to its straightforwardness. The nose reveals its proof unexpectedly and can be quite potent, and even punchy at times, reminding you this is a Stagg bourbon after all.
Palate
A strong cinnamon front is quickly followed by an equally influential dry tannic oak note. The bourbon’s proof is instantly noted as its heat ramps up and drowns out emerging flavors of walnut, nutmeg, and dark fruit. Raspberry and orange from the nose stick around adding a flair of uniqueness to the palate. As usual for the brand, there’s a good intensity of the flavors, except with this batch there are fewer of them and they’re more focused.
Finish
Dry tannic oak continues into the finish. It manages to not be overbearing, but will likely be divisive for many people. Rich dark fruits mixed with vanilla help provide a steady and savory base. The bourbon’s heat continues to be present with added pepper for good measure. After it ramps up, it resides, bringing with it a good portion of the overall intensity of the finish’s flavors. It ends with a lingering harsh charred oak note that is serviceable but not incredibly novel.
Uniqueness
There are a lot of barrel proof bourbons on the market, yet few have the éclat that Stagg does. Both George T. Stagg and Stagg have often been rooted in the fundamentals, yet they always offer their quintessential Stagg bite. It can be hard to completely capture with words what makes Stagg, Stagg, but all it takes is one sip and you know it.
That’s why Stagg Batch 18 is such a surprise. It’s still a Stagg bourbon, but that trademark flavor and bite are slightly amended. Tasting blind, there’s a good chance you might not be able to pick it as a Stagg bourbon compared to other batches that have come before it. The bourbon features a much stronger cinnamon component this time, and the dry tannic oak can be quite assertive. It’s still as hot as ever, but that hotness doesn’t bring with it the same degree of flavor explosion of previous batches. In more than a few ways, Batch 18 harkens back to the earliest batches of the brand – for better or for worse.
Value
Buffalo Trace has always done well pricing their whiskeys at or below the going market rate. For Stagg Batch 18, its value takes a slight hit with this batch being more of a miss than a hit compared to recent releases. Yet this release still falls in line with the occasional so-so releases of Larceny, Elijah Craig, and Booker’s in the past. Given how Batch 18 performs, it’s a solid enough offering for its stated price, but be careful spending much more than that.
Overall
Dropping its “Jr.” designation might seem superficial on the surface, but Batch 18 breaks out of the George T. Stagg mold and ventures into new and divisive territory.
It’s been a long road for George T. Stagg’s understudy. It originally launched to much fanfare and hopefulness of it being an easier-to-obtain version of the ever popular Buffalo Trace Antique Collection release. Instead, initial Stagg Jr. releases were a letdown as a result of their brashness. But over the years the brand matured, and eventually overtook George T. Stagg in quality from time to
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Release Date: Summer 2022
Proof: 131
Age: NAS (Aged at least 4 years per TTB regulations, rumored to be 7-9 years old)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Molasses
MSRP: $70 (2023)
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Written by Dustin Gandoff
“Bardstown Bourbon Co Unveils New Origin Series”
Nce a lot of people wouldn’t identify this as a Stagg. That could be viewed as either good or bad depending how much one enjoys that familiar Stagg nose and taste. However, venturing beyond expectations was likely Buffalo Trace’s goal and they knocked it out of the park.
This review really captures the essence of Stagg Bourbon Batch 18, with detailed descriptions of its distinctive nose, palate, finish, and uniqueness. It’s clear that the writer has a deep understanding and appreciation for this bourbon, making this review a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn about or try Stagg Batch 18.
Nge you’d be stumped this was a Stagg bourbon. While still distinctly delicious, the distinctiveness of this Batch 18 cannot be overstated.
“I have always been a fan of the Stagg Jr. releases, but I was pleasantly surprised by the new Stagg Bourbon Batch 18. Despite losing the “Jr.” in its name, it still holds true to the Stagg flavor profile with its bold and intense nose and palate. However, what sets this batch apart is its unique and subtle flavors, making it stand out among other barrel proof bourbons on the market. Definitely a must-try for any Stagg fan.”