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Stagg Jr. Bourbon

Junior's Not So Junior

2 791

@talexanderReview by @talexander

25th Oct 2017

1

  • Nose
    22
  • Taste
    24
  • Finish
    22
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    91

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Thanks to @Nozinan for this sample!

The colour is a medium copper. Thick on the nose with dark cherries, very dark chocolate, musty leather, green apple skins (?) and seriously charred oak. You know that black soap people used to put on their faces? That's kinda there too. Dark, dried up ketchup (weird, I know, but I got that!). Water adds complexity, with banana skins and crayon wax (from where in my brain are these notes coming from??) Extremely rich, as you could imagine.

On the palate I get more alcohol than on the nose, with more cherries, a lighter dark chocolate, cinnamon, Demerara and tannins. A lot punchier with water. A real knockout!

The finish is chalky with more oak, cloves and some woodsmoke. Although I always like Stagg Jr., I can't help but compare it in my head to George T. Stagg (which few bourbons can compare with), when I should really be examining it on its own terms. So this one probably deserves better than I'm giving it. Well, I never said I was objective...

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7 comments

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@talexander Objectivity is highly overrated, just ask those Fox News people. Anyway, your score of 91 leaves little doubt that you like it--a lot.

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

It is a good bourbon, but exceptionally potent, and that potency seems more pronounced even than the Stagg Sr. I think I scored this a little lower but my tastes have evolved since that time...I think I like everything more. When I do my review of the current batch, I hope to do a side by side with the one reviewed here

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@talexander
talexander commented

@BlueNote What can I say? I like big bourbons. And I cannot lie.

6 years ago 2Who liked this?

@talexander
talexander commented

@Nozinan Yes, it is more potent than George T. Stagg, but GTS's subtleties behind the high proof are what makes it one of the absolute greatest bourbons ever produced (IMHO).

6 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Which is weird since calling something "Jr." implies it is not quite as bold and strong as the "Sr." Maybe they should instead call it "Weird Awkward Uncle Stagg Who's Always Lived Alone, Wears Camo And Watches Too Much Walking Dead."

6 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@talexander Even with a 91 rating, it soumds a little bit too weird for me. Seriously, I loved GTS and should like the junior as well. Thank you for a fun review.

6 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@talexander "When you're this big they call you MISTER". Maybe instead of Stagg Jr. it should be called Mr. Stagg.

@Robert99 It's quite good. I'll try to keep some from that batch for when you come, and you can compare with the new batch.

6 years ago 0

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