![]() ![]() But this price tag is more for investment than drinking if we’re being brutally honest. But whiskey can only get so good, right? This release from the Buffalo Trace’s yearly Antique Collection is a very fine bottle that’s incredibly well-crafted. Look, if you want to spend $500 on a bottle, we’re not going to stop you. Stagg Buffalo Traceĭistillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY (Sazerac) And given that the juice is coming from the same place, you’re within reason switching these out for each other. In my humble opinion, this is just as fine as Bulleit and about $10 cheaper. What To Buy Instead: Four Roses Yellow Label That being said, recent controversies and that over-saturation have taken some of the sparkle off of this expression. The whiskey is sourced from the Four Roses Distillery (for now) and then aged at Bulleit’s facilities, adding their own mark on the juice. That’s not some grave injustice - this is a perfectly fine bourbon, for what it is. It was almost impossible to get away from this whiskey at one point. ![]() So for each bourbon that we’re calling out as overhyped below, we’re also naming another (cheaper) bottle as a solid alternative.ĭistillery: Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY (Diageo) As drinkers and aficionados, we have a real love for the art of whiskey making and the craftspeople producing it - hating on expressions isn’t fun for us. Whiskey is about exploring and we’re encouraging you to do just that. What we mean is that you shouldn’t limit yourself. That’s not to say any of the bottles below are bad. And yes, some of them seem to get a little too much shine. In 2020, with more expressions on the shelf than ever, there are a lot of bourbons competing for your attention. Then there’s the awards circuit, where some bottles pile up win after win - adding a certain luster. The biggest reason people will trample their grandmothers for a bottle of Pappy is that Anthony Bourdain famously loved the stuff. And partially because of plain, old luck. Partially because the competition is improving the overall quality and “good” bottles slide down that ranking to “mediocre.” Partially because branding occasionally helps the wrong bottles get mainstream love. I will not be drinking anymore Benchmark Full Proof straight but I’m sure it will be fine for cooking and cocktails.When the market for any spirit grows saturated, people will soon start identifying overhyped and overrated expressions. I was once again surprised by how good Stagg Jr iseven right next to GTS. Stars: 3 - Excellent whiskey: I would be willing to hunt down a bottle Conclusion The finish is very long, slightly dry and a little spicy with fading cola and lingering oak and rye spice. The proof integration is excellent, it lets you know it’s a heavyweight without overwhelming. The palate has notes of rich oak, cherry cola, caramel, vanilla cream, baking spice and a bit of brown sugar. ![]() Notes: The nose is like an overly boozy holiday spiced cherry pie. Stars: 3 - Excellent whiskey: I would be willing to hunt down a bottle George T Stagg 2020 ![]() Great texture and mouthfeel that is thick but not oily.The long finish has notes of lingering spice, oak and faint cherry. The palate brings cherry cola, rich oak, baking spices, caramel and enough proof to let you know it’s there. Notes: The nose is all cherry and rye spice. Stars: 0 - Poor to Fine: I would not specifically choose to drink this over other readily available options Stagg Jr Batch 15 The mouthfeel is solid but the proof is not well integrated. The palate is slightly harsh with ethanol burn, caramel, baking spice and a bit of cherry. Notes: The nose brings ethanol with a bit of spiced cherry pie. Also, I apparently forgot to write a review of 2020 GTS so this will have to count as that too. The blind tasting video is on Instagram and YouTube if you want to watch it alternatively read below for the results and tasting notes. Between that and my own experience with EHT Single Barrel vs Benchmark Bonded I was intrigued. I was chatting with a friend who referred to Benchmark Full Proof as Stagg Jr Jr claiming he had heard it was pretty close to Stagg Jr. ![]()
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