Blindly Tasting Hyped Bourbon...Does It Deliver or Disappoint? | Stagg 22A vs Stagg Single Barrel

[@OutsideTheStar]

I acquired two bottles of 22A last year and I’m down to one. Definitely made my top 5 whiskeys of 2023. It had a dense cherry Pepsi note. Love that bottle.

[@jacksmith2315]

Wish i got one. I got 22b and 23b. 23b is really good. 22b, good but not great

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

I think y'all's differing reactions illustrate the fact that palates differ. And Erin's reaction points to the fact that higher proof=more flavor is a good rule of thumb, it's not infallible. 🙂

[@travisrobeson306]

Glad you got to try this and enjoyed it! This was my first Stagg Jr I ever had. Cheers and have a great week!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Cheers Travis and thanks for making this one happen!

[@jacksmith2315]

I wish i got 22a, or a store pick. There was not one stagg pick around MA last year. I did get 22b for my first stagg, and it was pretty good, until i got 23b. 23b is damn good. Wish i had a 22a to compare

[@kevingaray1313]

22A is just amazing. Like you said, the way it saturates the palate is lovely. Glad I got a back up of it.

[@altmandillon1]

22a is my only stagg, and i have very much enjoyed it. Great video, keep them coming!🎉

[@tommysimpsonandtheloadeddice]

Almost didn't click this one because I know I will never find these bottles and I knew Josh would rave but I felt like Erin would be underwhelmed so I clicked to see what she says. Thanks Erin. I feel better about the fact I will never see these bottles.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That’s what we’re here for! The blinds don’t lie and always make for interesting reactions. Cheers and thanks for tuning in!

[@kirklandeche937]

Great show as always! Cheers!

[@ianreynolds494]

I was lucky enough to get a bottle of the 22A and I think that both of your reactions are 100% reasonable. Stagg can absolutely overwhelm you on one day and hit like the best ever on another day. Stagg is honestly the best candidate for a big rock and slow sip because even diluted they still pack a punch, almost like a really good cocktail just on its own. 130+ on proof is just really hot if you are not drinking high proof on a very regular basis.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

By random luck of the draw, 22A will be back on the channel in a couple of weeks and it definitely hit us differently in that tasting. It’ll be a fun to see a recorded reaction to this bottle two weeks apart. Cheers Ian!

[@Theman26642]

Had a pour of 22A at a bar for $16. Such a 🔥 pour. Dare I saw better than most vintages of GTS.

[@tsubakichan]

Erin, price is half-marketing so don't feel bad about not liking expensive stuff. The most expensive bottle I've ever purchased was Calumet 16 for $129, which I haven't tried yet (but I saw that your opinions are: "It's good but...") but I'm generally against paying over $60 for bourbon. My favorite bourbon has been Knob Creek store picks, which is about $60 and I got into them when the high aged stuff was available, so I'm talking about 9-11 years. But the 9-11 yr store picks have been amazing. And I did not like KC9 at all.

[@Lawnshrooms]

Erin just dove into deep end with these Stagg blinds. Your tongue must have been hurting!

[@mizaeldiaz8325]

I just picked up 24A and they are amazing

[@Kimakaze]

Have you guys done a Widow Jane Decadence review yet? I can’t find any on the past videos. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on it.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We haven’t done a video on it but have tried it once at a bottle share. Too sweet for Erin and borderline too sweet for me too but I did enjoy it. Having tried it now, I can’t say I’m personally in a hurry to buy a bottle as it’s pretty pricey for a niche ultra-sweet pour. Probably the thing I’m far more likely to order in a restaurant with dessert when I want a pour of something to complement that flood of sugary goodness.

[@100Proofer]

I tried a Stagg SiB that beat out all the other batches but it was also the highest proof (137) but didn't drink like it. I also enjoyed the latest batch 23C but in a blind, it fell short (4th out of 7).

[@petedavis4282]

hi guys , great to hear your opinion as per, her in Mexico I can only dream of tasting anything really decent , can’t even get rare breed !! When I travel I try to get your picks , love the sweety profile like Josh. Love the relaxed content so much too , much more natural and btw, Josh , you need to know your hair looks good too ,, lol . Erin is always in control , Have a great weekend guys ,

[@eponthdu]

I’ve recently purchased 2 bottles at separate times of Stagg, priced at $60. There are a few stores in my area that never price gouge. That’s why I’m loyal to them.

[@robwalker6211]

Did a blind with some family of 18,22a and 23a . We all loved 18 23a was second and 22a was third for all 3 of us. All great pours.

[@krisgaskins1]

23C in FL was 80 this year. Not as good as 22A and no where near as good as 17 but I will always take the batch release over a store pick in Stagg.

[@robwalker6211]

I really miss the outtakes at the end of the video. Watching you guys burst out laughing makes me laugh too.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We hear you. We’re having more fun throughout the whole videos now though so the bloopers are just part of the video now rather than separate at the end. We love a good tangent and laugh!

[@mikem4432]

great video... never even seen a bottle of Stagg sitting on a shelf in a ABC store in VA.. much less tasted one.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Appreciate you watching Mike!

[@BrianVaughn]

The rebrand of Stag is confusing. Plus they had that Old Stag release last year.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

They’re certainly not doing us any favors are they?

[@Scott-co4dq]

For me so far Stagg is a $100 bottle. I have 22B - it's enjoyable but the youth in the bottle comes across in a noticeable way. The same is true for others I've sampled too.

[@gr81disp]

22b is my second last favorite batch. 16 was fantastic

[@johnm1570]

I love your channel and several others, like Brewzl and It's Bourbon Night. I wonder if you have any favorite channels and if you'd ever consider doing a collab video or two with them (I think you guys and Chad and Sara would be highly entertaining)

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks for the kind words John! We do collaborate with other channels on livestreams sometimes, and have even done some collaborative single barrel selections with other channels as well. The whiskeytube space is a wonderful community of creators and we call many of them friends. Cheers and thanks so much for tuning in!

[@umami0247]

It’s the only BT bottle I’m looking for. Will I ever find one most likely not but that’s how it goes sometimes. Some days your the windshield and another day your the bug. Enjoy!!

[@fishhead680]

You’ll find one - it’s just a matter of time. I found one recently and it’s been many years since I’ve been looking! I did not expect to find it and boom! Good luck.

[@epegr1075]

I’ve never had it and don’t like paying over SRP. That being said I’d probably grab it for up to $80…so I expect to never get one

[@ragequit42]

Just scored my first bottle of Stagg (23A) and it is freaking amazing. Especially since I got it for $55, but I would easily go up to $150 if I ever came across this batch again! Cheers!

[@jacksmith2315]

I got my first stagg and it was 22b. It was pretty good, until i got 23b. Unfortunately, i didnt get 22a or 23a. 23b is really good

[@chrisbfd]

I always enjoy a pour of Stagg. A local shop got a pick in late last year with a 2 bottle limit at MSRP. I felt like I won the Lotto 😂😂.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Score!

[@raymonddonahue7282]

Sounds good

[@Bourbonsouth47]

Never had a Stagg jr I couldn't walk away from ! Never understood the hype on um personally cz their high proof I think people just try to look impressive drinking mediocre high proof BT bottles

[@timkamholz1009]

Hey Guys 134proof always is like gasoline to me maybe dont drink enough of it ?

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Perhaps, or higher proof just may not be your thing. It’s likely what you said though. When folks are new to whiskey a 90 proof pour can seem hot, but you acclimate over time. Same for high proof. One of the bigger mistakes with high proof is taking too large of sips as well. A 1 oz pour of high proof will last us 6-8 sips.

[@GarRETE88]

If the Spec’s Stagg SP from 2022 is the 138.6 proof one I’m thinking of then yes, absolutely amazing pour. I was blessed enough to get a sample of it then trade into a bottle. It’s like best parts of Russell’s 13 and Makers Cellar Aged then cranked to 11 with the high proof.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That’s the one! It’s UNREAL good.

[@Lawnshrooms]

next episode needs an Erin intro "Welcome to this gal sipping whiskey with her legally obligated to show affection pal"

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

😂

[@stuffandwhiskey]

😂😂

[@average_bourbon_dad]

Unobtanium in Texas. Maybe someday😢

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Here’s to hoping it’s more available everywhere with Buffalo Trace’s expansion!

[@average_bourbon_dad]

@@stuffandwhiskey for sure! Love y’all’s stuff btw

[@mell_gif]

Love Erin's _zero F's given_ on the Stagg! 😇 Totally agree, you like what you like. 😋 Don't let price cloud your judgement on bourbon! 🥃

[@tylerwilliams4165]

Cool Springs W&S is an awesome store.