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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