Bourbon Whiskey Archives – Page 44 of 79

Stagg Jr Batch 14 Bourbon

Posted on 13-February-202129-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Stagg Jr Batch 14 Bourbon Review

10-February-2021

STAGG JR BATCH 14 BOURBON REVIEW

At 130.2 proof, Stagg Jr Batch 14 is a potent bourbon, and while (for me) it doesn’t quite reach the standard set by recent Stagg Jr. batches, this whiskey grew on me as the glass was drawn down. It’s aromas and flavors are muted by intense heat, yet dark fruits, subtle brown sugar sweets and barrel oak are in the backbone. I enjoyed this pour all the way to the last wafts as they drifted up from the empty Glencairn and I’m sure others who like high proof bourbons will too.

STAGG JR BATCH 14 VITAL STATS

Category: Barrel Proof Bourbon
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Buffalo Trace
Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Low Rye Mashbill #1 (<10% rye), Believed to be ~ 75% corn, 10% rye, 15% malted barley
Barrel Char: #4
Barrel Entry Proof: 125
Age: nas (~ 8 years)
Released: Spring 2020
ABV: 65.1% (130.2 Proof)
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered
Price: $49.95 (Idaho, Sep-2020)
Other than the stated ABV and proof numbers, bottles of Stagg Jr have no batch identifiers on the label.

Learn more at Buffalo Trace Brands and BoubonEx – Stagg Jr Releases.

ENJOYMENT METHOD

For the evaluation, my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah and I enjoyed this whiskey neat. Approximately 1.4 ounces were transferred from the newly opened bottle to our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, small alternate pours were made to capture review portions in our Glencairns.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

STAGG JR BATCH 14 NOSE

When first brought to my nose, Stagg Jr Batch 14 was a buttery brown sugar and cinnamon caramel confection. I set the glass down, and contemplated taking the first sip, but refrained. In the second waft, I sensed dryness, little if any burn, and roasted sweet corn. Continued nosing brought dark plum, raisin, and prunes in a rich blueberry nectar. As I worked the glass, baking spices of faint allspice, powdered ginger and rye mix with brown sugared graham crackers, cocoa and light molasses. These spices and sweets were balanced by sweet light oak and faint leather.

STAGG JR BATCH 14 PALATE

In the mouth Stagg Jr Batch 14 is quite different. I tend to hold the first sips in the front of my mouth for a bit to get a “feel” for the whiskey before the swallow. I couldn’t hold long as the dry bite grew quickly to a fiery hot burn. With careful sipping (key word here: careful), roasted corn and dusty grain blend with plums, dark raisins and prunes. This bourbon wants to hug. Crushed red pepper flakes in oil and spices of cinnamon, black pepper, and rye mix with subtle sweets of bitter dark chocolate, burnt caramel and dark molasses. And when I was ready, a big Kentucky Chew, brought bitter walnut, strong old and spicy oak which faded away on toasted wood and smoky sweet barrel char.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Stagg Jr Batch 14 is quite complex … and one of the hottest bourbons I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy. Its 130.2 Proof dominates, almost masking Batch 14’s subtle flavors. Even after acclimation I sense an oiliness, yet it remains big, rough and gritty and more than tickles the tongue and mouth when held. In the Glencairn evenly spaced, fast dropping long legs dissipate quickly, returning the liquid into the carrot colored pool before leaving a faint inverted crown.

STAGG JR BATCH 14 FINISH

As each sip fades, there is a bit of tannin in each dry bite. Stagg Jr Batch 14 finishes exceptionally long and lingers on with only a few faint flavors to note. Those flavors mirror the palate and include dried field corn, dusty grain, dark stone fruit, cloves and black pepper. And ever-present is the toasted wood, hazy barrel char and leather. When gone, aromas of dry oak sawdust can be easily nosed from the empty Glencairn.

STAGG JR BATCH 14 RATING: 89/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
I will ALWAYS seek out batches of Stagg Jr. and pick them up whenever found on store shelves.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 89/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Stagg.

WHISKEY TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH

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Brian’s Whiskey Reviews
Individual Reviews

Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Review

Posted on 09-February-202127-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Review

Original review written February 2, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

We have had this one reserved in our bunker for some time, and it is with great pleasure that I report that the wait was definitely worth it. This bottle has so many different tricks up its sleeve, from the nose to the mouth feel to the taste, it’s vaulted instantly into one of my new favorites. 93/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
– Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Small Batch; Barrel Proof
– Age: nas (sources indicate EHTBP is aged exclusively in Buffalo Trace’s exceptional Warehouse C, built by Colonel E.H. Taylor himself in 1881, and believed to be likely around 7-8 yrs. old)
– Mash Bill: unpublished but believed to be Buffalo Trace mash bill #1: Corn =75%; Rye<10%; Malted Barley=15% (approximately)
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– Uncut and unfiltered
– ABV: 64.65% (129.3 proof)
– Price: $69.95 USD in Idaho in 2019

For more information, visit buffalotracedistillery.com

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

While not a dominating flavor, I do imagine sitting at a brunch table, waiting for your meal to arrive and enjoying this with some honey spread on toast. The environment is cozy, and absolutely everything smells delicious. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof amplifies the peaceful joy and anticipation of your food, leaving you with nothing but smiles and excitement.

Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash

NOSE:

Vanilla and orange blossoms come out on the first inhales, followed by maple candies and a bit of apricot. There is little alcohol to find here, which given its proof, is very interesting and even a bit exciting. Really deep inhales draw out a bready component that might be baked with some toasted almonds and honey. There is age here also, maybe a bit like how old books smells – homey, soft, and buttery. As far as wood goes, I’d say it’s very subtle, maybe not even an oak at all. It doesn’t exactly smell piney, but it has the mellowness of pine.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: I LOVE this mouth feel. VERY oily at the tip of the tongue, but tickly and a little sharp at the back of the palate.
– Balance: Every flavor seems incredibly well-blended here, with no one flavor sticking out awkwardly, but with citrus and bourbon warmth being the heroes.
– Visual: Tawny in color, this coats the glass in one large sheet before seemingly falling all at once back into the pool without leaving many legs or a crown behind.

– Taste: Zings of citrus and white pepper greet me on the first sip, making it seem and feel almost like fireworks in my mouth. The vanilla chases right behind, sanding down the initial abrupt edges. The buttery-ness from the nose is certainly here, and the warmth of it absolutely explodes and hovers at the back of the palate and in the throat.

Other than that, the flavors seem very straightforward, with peppery spices kicking around a little to make it exciting. I can find a dark grape, fruit leather here on the sides of my palate that contrast really well the upfront orange citrus and vanilla at the tip of the tongue.

The alcohol here is very mild, as I can hold it for an extended period of time; however, I do feel it is possible for this to try giving Kentucky hugs, if you’re not careful. I will say that the overall warmth that I get from this is tremendous, and is definitely a large part of what is making this bourbon what it is. Very rich and just really very solid.

A Kentucky chew creates an orange cream soda flavor, and the pops of the alcohol almost feel like carbonation, making for a really fun experience. I can actually chew on it for a solid ten seconds before I feel any kind of pressure to stop. Again, remember, this is approximately 129 proof – that’s very impressive.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Very long. Both flavor and warmth stick around on my palate and down into my throat and chest.
– Between Sips: A bit of pepper, oak, maybe a bit of fresh grass and cherry all come into play between sips, having not been readily apparent on the taste itself. I find this very different from any other between sips experience I have had before. Usually flavors on the taste come in between sips also, but it’s as though there is a whole new experience to be here in these spaces.

– No More: This stays very consistent all the way through the glass, with the warmth only growing. I will admit, I have had several small Kentucky hugs as I’ve gone through, and I don’t consider myself to be particularly reckless with my bourbon either.

The empty Glencairn is a super warm oak and a warm summer night and everything beautiful and fantastic. Enough said.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At the time of reviewing, it’s been a long time since we’ve poured an E.H. Taylor, and this glass certainly reminds me why having it as a mainstay within the bunker is absolutely necessary. Worth every penny of $70, and though it’s rare, I know I speak for both my father and me, we will be looking out for any opportunity possible to secure another bottle.

RATING: 93/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 93/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To see other whiskies from this brand, click EH Taylor, Jr.

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Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 8 Bourbon Review

Posted on 06-February-202125-October-2023 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 8 Bourbon Review:

written on 02-February-2021

COLONEL EH TAYLOR BARREL PROOF BATCH 8 BOURBON REVIEW:

Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 8 (EHTBPB8) bourbon is amazing. It smells, drinks and finishes like a 90 proof pour yet its bottle label puts this whiskey at 129.3 Proof. Subtle dark fruit aromas, spice, brown sugar caramel and oak pass easily to the palate and on through the finish. EHTBPB8’s tawny color belies its age; it tastes old. Do yourself a favor and secure a bottle of this OUTSTANDING bourbon, whatever the batch.

COLONEL EH TAYLOR BARREL PROOF BATCH 8 BOURBON VITAL STATS:

Category: Barrel Proof Bourbon
Region: Frankfort, KY, USA
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (consensus internet estimate: ~75% Corn, <10% Rye and ~15% Barley)
Barrel Char: #4
Barrel entry proof: 125
Age: nas; The whiskey is believed to be about 7-8 years old.
(Buffalo Trace indicates EHTBP bourbon is aged exclusively in warehouses built by Col. E. H. Taylor himself.)
EHTBP Bourbon is Uncut and Unfiltered
ABV: 64.65% (129.3 Proof)
Price: $69.95 USD (Sep 2019 Idaho, $80 MSRP 2021)
Availability: Limited mid-year releases are highly allocated

Learn more at Buffalo Trace – Brands and
Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Releases.

EHTBP ENJOYMENT METHOD:

For the evaluation, approximately 1.4 ounces were poured from the newly opened bottle and added to our Infinity Bottle Project. Then small alternate pours were made into two Glencairns until appropriate review amounts were achieved. My daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah and I enjoyed this whiskey neat.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

EHTBP NOSE:

Upon first nosing, EHTBPB8 has no discernable heat or alcohol. There is dry warmth, roasted corn, dusty grain and a faint sensation of dark dried fruits: red raisins, dark cherry and a kiss of citrus. Baking notes of allspice, cloves, warm ginger, and nutmeg are blended into light vanilla infused orange sponge cake. Continual nosing brings additional, but subtle sweets of brown sugar, woody caramel, orange blossom honey and toasted almond toffee which are gently hidden among its seasoned dry old oak and toasted barrel haze.

EHTBP PALATE:

EHTBPB8 drinks as it smells: Dry and warm with soft flavors of fruit blossoms, roasted corn and dusty grain. Each sip is easy to hold as it awaits the inevitable chew. As sensed in the aroma, dried fruits of dark cherry, ripe dark plums and raisins come through as do sweet milk chocolate infused with vanilla, brown sugar, burnt woody caramel, dark toffee and now roasted walnuts. Its seasoned dry old oak, hazy toasted wood and the sensation of wet tooled leather, drifts over my tongue before each swallow. While I know this is a 129 proof bourbon, for me it is quite gentle.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
EHTBPB8 is a solid and well blended bourbon. From the first sip, I am wowed by its rich creaminess. As it passes through my mouth, its proof asserts itself on the back of the tongue before each swallow. In the Glencairn, the liquid breaks into fast dropping legs, leaving an ill-defined crown of different length inverted droplets before they slide back into the tawny bowl.

EHTBP FINISH:

Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 8 Bourbon offers a medium long to long dry warm finish with little to no heat. The sensations of roasted corn, dusty grain, dark dried fruit, faint cloves and pepper fade gently into this bourbon’s burnt caramel, toasted oak and old leather bliss. When the last dram is downed, dry old oak wafts from the empty Glencairn.

MY EHTBP RATING: 93/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
This bourbon will be difficult to find but any Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch will be well worth the search.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 93/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To see other whiskies from this brand, click EH Taylor, Jr.

EHTBP WHISKEY TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

Back to …

Brian’s Whiskey Reviews
Individual Reviews