The "Ultimate" bourbon... Is It THAT GOOD? | Stagg REVIEW (24B)

[@mgordo2]

I just checked. Here in Los Angeles Stagg is easily available. Granted at $200+, but you walk into the shop, plop down your $$, and walk out. No need to employ the secret handshake. (For the record, the shop I checked is Remedy Liquor in Glendale.) I agree with Geoff, that’s scotch money.

[@jasoncoates1835]

I have a half dozen of these which, indeed, I found at MSRP (52.99US) on the shelf. I used to be able to reliably score one bottle from each batch at a little store near campus. They sold a lot of beer to college kids and not much Stagg Jr. Those days are long gone, but one gets the sense they might be coming back in the next couple years. The batch variation in Stagg is akin to the batch variation in Springbank 12 - yes, it matters... but also no, it doesn't matter. They're all good, some are just a little more good sometimes.

[@hansvaneenennaam457]

Hi Geoff, great review. Really like the dedicated Bourbon specs. The new mic setup is great!!

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks buddy! 🙏

[@_fwd_racecar_]

i dont even like bourbon much anymore, but you hyped this so much, i know a bar in town that hasnt even opened it yet haha

[@ashythedon]

Excellent review. Other notable Bourbons you should consider reviewing on this channel: 1. Peerless Double Oaked 2. Russell’s Reserve Single Barrell Private Select 3. John J Bowman Single Barrell (Green Label) 4. Henry McKenna 10yr BiB (Bottled in Bond) 5. Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Cask Strength 🥃

[@johnnyjustice9988]

My favorite is Evan Williams bottled -in - bond, cheap and always accessible. In our club, it won two of three blind tastings-better than EHT, Old Tub, OF, HH, ET, and 1792. It is utterly consistent batch to batch, delicious, inexpensive, and always, everywhere, on the shelf (bottom).

[@Gwhisky]

Great list of suggestions! Sadly I don't think any of them are sold locally. I'm basically fully dependent on my American w̶h̶i̶s̶k̶e̶y̶ ̶m̶u̶l̶e̶s̶ friends for the good stuff. 🥃

[@welshtoro3256]

So much good bourbon is practically impossible to find outside the States these days. It's also become very expensive for what it is, especially outside the States. ECBP costs £125 a bottle in the U.K. Even Evan Williams BOB costs £35 Wild Turkey is still good value but there's only 101 and Rare Breed generally available.

[@michaelg1313]

As an American, I get thoroughly annoyed with specific bourbon drinkers and their obsession for finding allocated bottles. Many of them claim to hate scotch, and instead of me trying to argue , I am glad they aren’t getting into scotch so I let it be. We don’t need the same people in the scotch game.

[@welshtoro3256]

For quite a few years I was one of the only few Whisky guys that was big on the Bourbon KZbin scene as well. I used to buy this all the time when it was first released and it was openly available for £70. I still have one unopened bottle of one of the great ones. It was meant to be antidote for actual Stagg which was allocated and expensive as f***. It was younger but still had decent age for bourbon and here's the thing - It tastes great. It's only competitors at the time were ECBP, JD SBBS and Blanton's SFTB. I never thought Bookers or Wild Turkey Rare Breed were in that league. Since then the prices and allocation have gone bonkers. The JD SBBS is the best value here in the U.K. Stagg Jnr has vanished and it was probably my favourite. ECBP (12 years old) is still available and it's expensive but possibly worth it. It's better value than Lagavulin 12. Buffalo Trace made it clear many moons ago that they were going to allocate their best whisky even though they had gallons of the stuff. They're rip-off merchants and they treat their employees with contempt who had to go on strike to be treated properly and get proper health care. They suck. Back to the whiskey. Cola notes are always a thing with Stagg Jnr along with all the typical bourbon stuff - Vanilla, Cinnamon, Caramel, blah blah. You have to like bourbon. WT

[@_fwd_racecar_]

bourbon is only rare in some states. out here in oregon there's fixed prices, so stagg jr can always be found at least somewhere in the state if you want to drive for it, and always at $50-60

[@germantarapow9112]

Some specific city in Oregon? Thanks for the data dude, greetings from Argentina

[@Gwhisky]

Oh wow. I thought this was unobtanium basically everywhere.

[@b1gsteve251]

@@Gwhiskyit looks like it’s intentionally unobtainium. There are ‘supposedly’ certain states with high sales that get more distribution than others, and then that is ‘supposedly’ based on how much Sazerac product they purchase. And there are multiple different distributors throughout the U.S. that ‘supposedly’ do this and it all seems a bit shady. I live in the Midwest U.S. and I’ve found it at Binny’s, Jewel-Osco, Woodman’s, and several other stores that don’t price gouge, which is a major problem worldwide not just here. I’m not really a conspiracy person, but I won’t be surprised if a huge amount of bad dealings come out about all this allocation.

[@WhiskeyBank]

This is a great bourbon and hopefully one that will be more available in 2025. Thanks for the video!

[@WhiskyWolf514]

Great review, as always, my friend! I'm glad that you stay with us though in the scotch camp 😁🥃🎩🎩

[@Gwhisky]

Not going anywhere. 😉🥃

[@vimalrajkappil]

For a moment I thought it was Blanton's Single Barrel 😊

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Brilliant Geoff glad you got to try this. This is probably the best bourbon I've tried but yeah I'm with you on the not being super well versed on the bourbon market and hell no to pay so much or run after it for so long. Cheers!

[@osirisgolad]

If you can find it at a decent price, you might like Michter's Toasted Barrel Finish; specifically the rye, though all the toasted barrel finishes are interesting. This is coming from someone who predominantly drinks scotch and brandy, but many of my friends love bourbon and so I've had quite a lot of it. That is the one bottle of bourbon I keep track of and try to get my hands on when a batch is released.

[@Gwhisky]

Great! I'll keep an eye out for it! 🥃

[@Johnny__Silver]

7:41 you in your best form

[@superodfx]

I have a bottle of wild turkey rare breed, it’s yum

[@xiamengbaby]

He should try to score a Japanese edition Wild Turkey 101 12 year. He's only a 3 hour flight away. 😄

[@Gwhisky]

Didn't see it when I was there a couple months back.

[@ashythedon]

How on Planet Mother Flipping Earth did you find a Stagg!? I’m in The U.S, and I’ve seen this JUST ONCE in a Glass case marked up to the Rafters! 24B is a Very sought after batch BTW! Good for you! 🎉

[@Gwhisky]

As I said in the video. I'm extremely famous and well connected. 🧐😉

[@ashythedon]

@@Gwhisky 😆💥🥃

[@andrewbutler7681]

I tried three or four batches when it still had "Jr" on the label and found it (what a friend so eloquently described as) 'a hot mess' - I wouldn't buy one even at MSRP. However, I do have a bottle of GTS/'Stagg Sr' and that is one of the best bourbons I have ever drunk...

[@enotrilogy]

Never understood the whiskey guys that dislike whisky? In my 60s and love both when well executed. STAGG is typically top tier and one rung below Epic most years...

[@ejf8350]

The bourbon boom party was bound to come to an end. In the last decade or so, a number of the bigger distilleries have increased capacity and added warehouses. I'm hoping that in a few years there will be a lot of well-aged juice on the shelf at reasonable prices. We'll see. As for Stagg Jr, I picked up a bottle a year or so ago for $120 US at a liquor store. As a condition of them selling to me, I also had to buy two of their barrel picks. Normally, I would have passed. But they had a barrel pick of 11 year old Loch Lomond. So that suited me just fine.

[@paul_mitchener_ukulele]

The bottle is the bourbon equivalent of Dalmore.

[@NushiSama]

I love seeing Bourbon reviews from Scotch lovers. Definitely should do some more. I definitely enjoy both Scotch and Bourbon equally. I love that boirbon doesnt need to be aged as long and is generally more affordable in some cases to scotch but a hogh age statement scotch or one with a unique cask finishing are amazing. Im definitly glad bourbon is started to experiment more like scotch has been I recommend Four Roses especially the Small Batch Select, Single Barrels, Gold Label Single Barrels, and especially the Limited Edition Small Batch. I think they probably make the best non finished bourbon. I have to exclude rare bourbon like the BTAC line since you basically need to win the lottery to get them. I also think the Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proofs are a must try and if you can find it the Coy Hill batches.

[@Koby616]

Nice stags 😅 I don't think I can get my hands on it. The only buffalo trace I can find is a regular buffalo trace. But it's good whiskey for a good price. Thanks for review 😊

[@SimonneNZ]

This retails for over $200 USD in my market, way too expensive for me. Agree with the Bourbon spec of at least 100 proof. Bourbon tends to suit higher ABV and to me it doesn't seem to drink as hot as a Scotch at the same ABV. Cheers!

[@tscherer7542]

all about that base… sums it up well, for a millenial😅 Thanks Geoff, always entertaining! umm Stagg is easy to find for $200 in the us. my whisk(e)y collection is about 60:40 % american: scotch. I have been on board for stagg since batch 1, but cant keep up the chase for specific batches- so theres a few random stagg in my cellar, b/c i realized even at $200-300 it was still a good value compared to EHT barrel proof and the antique collection. But there are too many other good bourbons (& scotches!) to drink for less $$! (looking at you; Knob Creek 12yr, George Dickel 15yr, Remus Repeal Reserve, JD barrel proof, and 4 Roses single barrel)

[@matteoocchipinti7464]

You reviewed rare breed NCF… personaly i find more balaced that one

[@andyking894]

I've had one opportunity to get a Stagg so far, and it was for the whoppingly low price of $265. I'm not a huge fan of Buffalo Trace, so I didn't see the value in paying that. Maybe someday I'll break down and perform the necessary financial fellatio, but not today.

[@Gwhisky]

I wouldn't pay that much, personally. It's great, but I'm too c̶h̶e̶a̶p̶ financially responsible. 🥃

[@b2tall239]

It pays to do a little exploration into small, local liquor stores. The other day I got a bottle of Stagg 24B for $149 ("Stagg Junior", as it called by most here in order to differentiate between the short, squat bottle and the taller and much more expensive bottle). Also found a few other harder-to-find allocated whiskies recently, and at reasonable prices, although still above MSRP. P.S. I'm a two-thirds bourbon/one-third Scotch kind of drinker.

[@ps3inquisition441]

I can find Stagg regularly for $200. I don’t buy it, but I have a friend who has 6 bottles. It’s good stuff, but not $200 good.

[@Fisklina]

To my mind these crazy expensive and hyped bourbons are good but not worth the money. I remember about 15 years ago at my (at the time local) you could buy several different Staggs, Pappys, WLW, and a few other hyped bourbons, for about $10 for a 30 ml pour. Sweden not really being "bourbon country", I was one of very few people doing damage to those bottles. Good times

[@rooolando]

Thank god you found the setting to stop the strobe on the mic 😂

[@Gwhisky]

Lol the drama of that...

[@rooolando]

@@Gwhisky I had to stop drinking for a few videos, so yes!

[@timshulepov]

4:50 -- for Scotch drinkers, the antlers and the logo should indicate that this is American Dalmore (aka Freedom Dalmore). :)))

[@007JRP1]

I don’t chase bourbon with high secondary prices. Too much good whisk(e)y to pay secondary. And times are a little tougher now and it’s not like I have tons of extra cash.

[@MrCaragen]

Been to Kentucky in December and most of the ones I saw were minimum 250 dollar. I was tempted since it is so damn good and I was specifically looking for it ... passed at the end *my heart hurts

[@teachergregory291]

Scotch, Taiwanese Whisky, Indian Whisky & Japanese Whiskies are my favs.... I'll take a single malt of the mentioned over any bourbon.

[@1derecks]

I found one in a gas station in southern Arizona for $129. Probably won't get that lucky again.

[@Gwhisky]

Great find! 🥃

[@Johnny__Silver]

Damn, now I want a bottle of Stagg and I don’t even want a bottle of Stagg!

[@afwaller]

When it says “Straight Bourbon Whiskey” that’s actually an age statement (4 years+, unless it says otherwise)

[@notorious_raksasa]

Would recommend checking out the Knob Creek, Old Forester, Four Roses, and Turkey/Russell's lines to get started on bourbons

[@Gwhisky]

I've had all but the OF. Good whiskeys! 🥃

[@notorious_raksasa]

@@Gwhisky Good prices too 👌OF 1920 and 1910 are where it's at. Around 60 MSRP for each, and not price gouged

[@huynhtrung5374]

Looking for you do some other malternatives like brandy and rum

[@EuropaWill]

Hey Geoff, try to get your hands on some reasonably priced, very available bourbons like Elijah Craig Small Batch and 1792 small batch. They both have a lot to offer at their price point. And they aren't allocated.

[@edelrosario5105]

I thought Woodford Reserve also has that deep, heavy bourbon base notes. How does Woodford Reserve compare to Stagg?

[@JimmyJamaltm]

Im very interested in the 1792 Full Proof but here in europe it also extremely overpriced $80 vs 200 euros. Hopefully i can get it later this year when i visit USA.

[@laurentsteck6086]

In Switzerland I can find it for 220 €. I'm not a huge bourbon fan! So I will probably skip it! Thanks for the review! Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

That's too much, and I get not loving bourbon. I'm growing to like it more and more, but it's still all about single malts. Cheers buddy! Longmorn next month! 😉

[@laurentsteck6086]

Yeah!! 🎉 Looking forward for the review. It was the gem of Friday night tasting with my friends. This Longmorn 18 and the springbank 26!

[@Gwhisky]

@laurentsteck6086 Wow. Yeah it's surprising how many great whiskies the older Longmorns can hold up against. Sb26 - sounds like a fun night! 🥃

[@laurentsteck6086]

@@Gwhisky yes, It was a great night. It's a single cask exclusive for Switzerland.

[@-xirx-]

​​@@Gwhisky I have recently found an absolute belter of a Longmorn (IB): *"Woodford's of Edinburgh* Longmorn 14yr 2006" (FF bourbon). Woodford's of Edinburgh is a new IB to me (opened in 2022), but definitely worth checking out their range! 🥃

[@alehhandro1]

Most bourbons I’ve tried are so very similar in taste and smell. Hard to tell them apart. Pleasant to drink, unless they are too young and harsh, but not worth secondary market prices! Most of the bourbon drinkers I know drink their bourbons on ice which further diminishes any differences in taste and aromas between batches and even brands, in my opinion. What’s left? Perceived value based on brand name and bottle shape/decor. Sorry if it sounds harsh! Just observations of a malt whisky fan living in these United States.

[@jonlatham7963]

Stagg prices here in Australia is truely staggering at over $400 I have bought it a couple years ago for $300 and would again at that price

[@richadmorgan7543]

FYI, the bottle you have used to be called Stagg, Jr. The most desired is called, George C Stagg. Similar but older and is one of the best bourbons in existence.

[@Setmuiteklin]

@@richadmorgan7543 "George T Stagg"

[@allthebass]

…..and it tastes…..just like all bourbons. The best thing about bourbon is how they use it to clean the barrel before they age scotch in in it.

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for reviewing Geoff Love this stuff... ...for preparing the cask so that can be used for maturing Scotch. The burp-on itself. Nah, not for me. Slàinte mhath

[@IRamOne_w]

emotional support. 🍻

[@monty65556]

Hey Geoff could you review the "new" Ardbeg releases - at least in my area Toronto - Hypernova, Anamorphic and 17 Year Old

[@Brad-ic4bp]

I'm one of the people who paid way too much to order a bottle of Stagg online, and I was extremely disappointed (but also glad that I don't need to chase this again). It's batch 23B, which may be a bad batch, but there shouldn't really be a "bad" batch. Too oakey and bitter for me - although, somehow it's down to a half bottle after a year, even if I don't even remember the last time I poured any.

[@jcurbin305]

I like some American whiskeys, but there's no comparison, Scotch is the good stuff.

[@christophershreiner5114]

You should institute a value quotient. Rating : MSRP I’d do it but I don’t have a whisk[e]y review channel.

[@peatbull3426]

American Dalmore 😎 63.9% for $300 🤔 i choose HP batch 2, 63.9% for £50/60 every day. Hype Kingdom. I stay my home. Cheers 😁🥂🥂🥂🙋‍♂️

[@xiamengbaby]

Those HP cask strength bottles are $100 in the Chicago area.

[@peatbull3426]

@xiamengbaby crazy world 🙈🤷‍♂️🥂🙋‍♂️

[@jackthepickledhound]

I have a bottle of Jr 65.1% that was at retail. Now ...and for the past few years I can only wonder what the shop clerks thinks when they tell me the current price..always $249. And I try not to laugh at them.

[@lodgelawyer]

Well, if you're going to do an occasional bourbon review, why not a review of the Campbelltown Loch blend? (Or have I missed one?)

[@TheSilverSphincter69]

I dont like bourbon. Love scotch, love cask strength. I've been trying to drink bourbon to give e them a chance, but there is a taste that is in all bourbon that I absolutely dislike. I have found a few bourbon that are pretty good however...trails end 10 year is one of them... I had a bookers that was just astounding..like Christmas in a bottle lol..but I am definitely giving bourbon a chance...

[@fredorosny]

I tried once in Korea, the MSRP price is 70 dollars ( from what I found), if so it is perfect !!!! but 200 dollars it is not that good. I have the same story about weller 12, in France (Paris) it was 40 euros for a long time and it is a perfect whisky but when I check youtube I often see 250 dollars for it. Then it is a bad whisky for that price. Beside the price, Stagg jr is really good !

[@SaltyCuban]

It’s a malternative. I saw a Stagg for $275. I left it for a more refined gentleman to pick up. I saw a 12 yr old Pappy once for a “bargain” $165. Same fate as the Stagg. Missed out on other bourbons in the shelf at awesome prices ($65). Those bottles now if found are $200-400. I don’t think so. Best bourbon I’ve had. A simple Eagle Rare 10. But back when I used to buy those it was a super bargain $29. Now *if* you can spot one, it’s over $100. I have one stashed and as far I’m concerned I’m not Interested in getting into bourbon. Much like I’m not interested in getting into Japanese whiskies.

[@mattfalk8493]

Yea Stagg here in Australia starts at 370 +..... But it so fucking good 😢

[@Usonian7]

10:00 the sxl favor get very annoying hunting bourbon.

[@KeithShearman]

As a Canadian, you should probably not buy any American whiskey at this time. You know why.

[@b1gsteve251]

You ruffled some feathers that just couldn’t help but comment. Controversial one here, Geoffy. Great whiskey but more of a hype bottle than ever before. The U.S. distribution is odd at the least. And the amount of retailers that price gouge is ridiculous. The illegal secondary market isn’t even bothered with by any law enforcement and there are actual apps that tell what’s a “good” overpriced price to pay. It’s pretty wild over here.

[@Setmuiteklin]

I'll not pay anything secondary with any 'stupid' allocated bourbon!

[@EuropaWill]

By the way, 100 proof is too high for a minimum threshold of quality The 46% threshold you use for scotch is about right for any whiskey. 45% is about the threshold where whisky doesn't taste watery or watered down. That's the point isn't it? With the bold flavors of bourbon, it's even less important IMO. While 100 proof is fine isn't not a requirement. I'd say 90 proof is just fine for a bourbon, it's a well used threshold by the industry already.

[@Jet-ku2ye]

I paid 54 USD for this bottle in December

[@Gwhisky]

Incredible price! 🥃

[@javieracosta3439]

Here in the US, the "taters" love their allocated bourbon. Retail shops (in non liquor controlled/run states) have been embolden to raise their prices to match the auction/secondary prices. But why? Because there are far too many people willing to pay for them and even if they sit for weeks or months, theu do eventually sell. I myself refuse to overpay for whiskey just because Donald Jr. can spend $300 on a bottle of Stagg, I wait for raffles or good fortune to come my way. Which has worked so long as you have patience. In the meantime, there are plenty of other fantastic things to drink. As for Stagg in general, batches vary greatly, but I can see the appeal of the Buffalo Trace distillery house style adding more of a sweet red grape note. Though my current 23B bottle is one of the clunkers. Yay me 🎉

[@steveno7058]

Stagg is good but not worth the hustle. Easy to find stuff is just as good. I’ve tried Pappy 23, Van Winkle Rye, RR15, George T Stagg. Same conclusion: ain’t worth the hustle

[@germantarapow9112]

Ufff a pappy. Really?

[@steveno7058]

@@germantarapow9112 Pappy23 is way too over oaked

[@anthonyamoroso4008]

You should try the finished bourbons Woodford Reserve master collections, Joseph Magnus, Thomas Moore… just think they are as interesting as scotch & Irish

[@Gwhisky]

Love Woodford. I'd be happy to try those! 🥃

[@xxacidmv]

. Bourbon hunting is a silly place but it is fun, at least when you know someone in the distribution biz.

[@b.benjamineriksson6030]

*watches suspiciously in Scotch* You're not thinking about defecting are you? *loads double barrel*

[@marcovanboekel7419]

I don't care about Bourbon at all. Too Sweet, too boring

[@SidequestBear]

I’m in your club too, thought I wasn’t getting it but with time understood I just don’t really like it

[@TheSurgeHunter]

100% Agree! Seeing people who have 300 bourbon bottles boggles my mind.

[@tscherer7542]

this is true of most cheap bourbon, but if you train your pallet, there is actually a wide range of flavors and notes in the high quality stuff. Besides, there’s no requirement that a whisky drinker must like all types, so just make yourself happy.

[@pepebruno1672]

Is that a JW glencairn? Too funny some how… Great review. But no… Not for me.

[@NushiSama]

Hopefully you didn't pay $300 for that as its only $55 MSRP I would pay $300 for its Big brother though the George T Stagg

[@Gwhisky]

Nah, I would never. 🥃

[@NushiSama]

​@@GwhiskySmart Man 😎

[@ryanmercer600]

I have many of those regular Staggs, used to be known as Jr. $70 is all you want to pay

[@ryanmercer600]

The BTAC George T Stagg is what you want, $150 retail but you must Know someone

[@ryanmercer600]

Try a single barrel Peerless Rye…