George T. Stagg
Overall Score: 7.5/10
Overall Value: 3/5 at MSRP, 1.5/5 at $800+
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company Inc.
Release Date: 2024
Proof: 136.1
Age: 15-Years, 2 months
Mashbill: Rye Mash 1
Color: Dark Chocolate
MSRP: $150 (2025)
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3/5 at MSRP, 1.5/5 at $1,500+
THE NOSE:
The nose matches the deep color—rich and dark.
I immediately got dark chocolate, then brown sugar and caramel in a big way. Think Tootsie Rolls, or even that honey-layered wafer dessert.
It’s bold and punchy, and honestly, really good. Definitely one of the stronger noses I’ve had in a while.
THE TASTE:
The palate is sweet and full of darker notes. More of that dark chocolate and a touch of leather.
What surprised me most is how easy it drinks for such a high-proof bottle. Sadly, though, a lot of those sweet notes I loved on the nose—like the brown sugar and caramel—don’t really show up as much in the taste.
It’s still good, but it felt like a bit of a drop-off.
THE FINISH:
The finish keeps the dark chocolate thing going.
It’s sweet and hangs out for a bit, but it’s not super vibrant or complex.
BUY OR PASS?
There’s no doubt this is a good pour. But with all the hype surrounding George T. Stagg, I expected more. It doesn’t live up to the legendary status for me.
I actually think most of the great Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches beat it out, and I’d rather pour a Stagg Jr. (now just called "Stagg") any day. Still glad I tried it, but it’s not the unicorn I hoped it’d be.
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