George T. Stagg (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection)

Producer: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Age: Reportedly 15 years

Bottled: 2020

Proof: 130.4

Finish: None

This is the high proof, ryed bourbon entry in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, which is released annually. Each year, the proof, the age, and the number of bottles vary. It's always bottled at barrel proof, and generally the age hovers around 15 years. The 2020 release clocked in at a whopping 130.4 proof. It's significantly older than the typical Stagg, Jr, which is reportedly aged around 8 years. This bourbon is named after George T. Stagg, who was the one time owner of what became the Buffalo Trace Distillery. The mash bill is the low rye version from Buffalo Trace. It's the same mash bill as the Eagle Rare 17 from the BTAC, but it's slightly younger and bottled at barrel proof. The George T. Stagg is highly sought after, and therefore expensive. If you don't win the lottery, then you should expect to pay over $1,000 for this bottle.

Color: Burnt sienna

Body: Full, legs run slowly

Nose: Initial blast from the proof (give it a second), warm cinnamon roll, spicy pepper

Palate: Rather hot, drinks every bit of its proof, snickerdoodle, more cinnamon roll with caramel sauce, leather, oak, not much fruit, more baking spice, water does bring some fruit, peach and brown sugar

Finish: Long, surprisingly sweet, spice evaporates, warmth lingers

Score: Ace

Song: Fireball - Deep Purple

I slowly collected my full line of Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bourbons, and they occupy the most exclusive shelf in my bourbon collection, alongside my collection of Van Winkle bourbons. This is my second bottle of George T. Stagg. I actually won this bottle in my state lottery. How does it compare to the other bruiser in the BTAC, William LaRue Weller? Not even close. Don't get me wrong. This is still a mighty fine bourbon, but the WLW is one of the best bourbons in the world, giving Pappy a run for its money. This beast is hot. While the WLW drinks lower than its proof, the GTS drinks every bit of its proof. It's full of spice, with little in the way of sweetness or fruit. However, if you embrace the spice, you will be rewarded many times over. The cinnamon starts the ball rolling with snickledoodles and cinnamon rolls. Oak notes and leather come through afterward, with even more cinnamon. Finally, some sweetness arrives by way of caramel sauce. At the end, the spice finally evaporates, but the heat lingers. Only with water does fruit show up, in the form of peach. This bourbon is a hot, cinnamon bomb. Hence, I suggest pairing it with Fireball by Deep Purple. Personally, I believe wheated bourbons can handle more age and more proof. Aged Pappy's and high proofed WLW are phenomenal. However, ryed bourbons tend to loose sweetness and fruitiness with high age, and they tend to drink much hotter with high proof. On the other hand, they can certainly warm you up. Overall, GTS is an excellent bourbon and a worthy addition to the BTAC. This is an annual reason. Enter the lottery, or pay for it online.