George T. Stagg

Intro: From Buffalo Trace website...

This extremely hearty whiskey ages in new charred oak barrels for no less than 15 years.  Straight out of the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, the taste is powerful, flavorful and intense. Open it up with a few drops of water, sit back and ponder the wonders of the universe.

Review:

The Rub...

Ever been in an old barn?  The smell of an old barn wrapped in vanilla and chocolate is what this smells like, it's the best of all of those smells together, very rich and warm.

The Nose...

Now that I have that rub scent in my brain, I can pick out some of the same notes of vanilla sweetness and wood.  There is a hint of a Christmas spice smell.  Surprisingly with a very high ABV, this has very little alcohol vapor, not really burning the nostrils like many others do.

The first sip...

The hold, the feel of my lips burning, a rich oily mouth feel to the bourbon and now, a rush of that grassy note like Eagle Rare has but much deeper.  Not like more grass just a stronger flavor of that grass, which is amazing.  Second sip...there's the heat, definitely in the back of the throat and down the chest.  My tongue is covered in warm flavors of sweet and richness like milk chocolate but not that sweet...and certainly not bitter.  Third sip...this bourbon is hard to pin point on flavor. It's amazingly smooth with sweet notes but after the third sip the after taste doesn't linger long.  It leaves a warming feeling through my chest.

Is it worth the $?

I paid MSRP of $93 at the Virginia ABC store.  It's top shelf but I am tired of paying for bourbon that doesn't blow my socks off.  This on is a trophy more than anything else.  If you have the means sure, but otherwise we are moving into la la land of value.  Certainly not a daily drinker.  I'd rate this as a solid $50-$60 bottle.  Single Barrel Col Taylor is better.