George T. Stagg 2017 Antique Collection (64.6%, OB)
- Category: Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
- Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Bottling: Buffalo Trace 2017 Antique Collection
- ABV: 64.6%
- Cost: ~ £140
What they say:
This extremely hearty whiskey ages in new charred oak barrels for no less than 15 years. Straight out of the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, the taste is powerful, flavorful and intense. Open it up with a few drops of water, sit back and ponder the wonders of the universe.
2017 edition:
The powerhouse favorite of the Antique Collection, George T. Stagg weighs in at 129.2 proof this year. Past releases of this uncut and unfiltered bourbon have won many top awards, including “5 Stars – Highest Recommendation” by F. Paul Pacult’s The Spirit Journal. This year’s release contains bourbon from barrels filled in the spring of 2002. This batch contained 309 barrels, a few more than last year. Storage location of these barrels varied across warehouses C, K, M and Q. This whiskey tastes of expresso, chocolate fudge and tobacco.
TASTING NOTES:
Lush toffee sweetness and dark chocolate with hints of vanilla, fudge, nougat and molasses. Underlying notes of dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint and a hint of coffee round out the palate.
What I say:
Sampled during the Sazerac tasting with master blender Drew Mayville hosted by Royal Mile Whiskies on 6th October 2017. The 2017 release is at 129.2 proof or 64.6% ABV.
Appearance:
Light bronze/copper (12/20), medium-fine tears leave finer legs
Nose:
Dark fruits, plum, black cherry, sweet molasses, dark chocolate, some leathery tannins as well as rich vanilla essence, more caramelised suagrs and hints of baking spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg
Taste:
On the palate creamy vanilla precedes the dark fruit, brambles and cherries both black and dried, a hint of pimiento powder, sweetness builds from honey through fudge to chocolate covered toffees and rich molasses, overall reminiscent of Black Forest Gateaux
Finish:
Long, sweet and dry spiced with plenty of ground woody and baking spices
Overall:
A delicious mix of cherries and dark fruit, vanilla cream, caramel and chocolate with a liberal sprinkling of wood spice too. Black Forest Gateaux of Cherries dipped in dark chocolate describe the beautiful mix of sour and bitter than develop amongst all that vanilla sweetness.
Score: 90/100
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