Stagg Jr. Batch 12 vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C919: The Mash & Drum Double Bass EP10

[@jamiereifert2824]

Outstanding episode. Love Stagg Jr

[@TheTiltdJ]

Just scored a C919 today. Had to come see what Jason C had to say about it. Sounds like for $70 I won't be mad.

[@brianlang429]

Too bad I can't find the Stagg Jr here in central NC. I've been lucky enough to get two bottles out closer to TN. It's my favorite bourbon.

[@Farcry-yh4mu]

September release usually that's when i got mine. allocated behind counter usually doesn't last a day

[@beerme8949]

One day I will get lucky enough to find Stagg Jr. I have faith.

[@robd8167]

This aged well. Big league double bass.

[@wildlifewhiskey3636]

Great job man

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks man!!

[@Farcry-yh4mu]

EC more readily available if that helps make a decision, Stagg usually comes out in September so start camping out. I scored a bottle last year, still rationing it, EC available 3 times a year and usually everywhere so I drink that more often. Stagg also puts out a large holiday shipment but not as strong as September release

[@HangingMossMedia]

So happy to have both of these in my collection!!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Nice! Cheers to that!

[@juliussharrock8943]

Soon as you said leather I knew EC was on the left... cannot wait to find another Jr so I can do this back to back myself! thanks for the great content man

[@hombreleon]

Nice job, Jason. This Double Bass is proving to be a real crowd pleaser. Your content and quality continues to impress. I love me some ECBP, and the B519 is readily available here in Phoenix. I haven’t seen the C919 here yet. I’m still on the lookout for the Stagg Jr. Cheers!

[@TheMashandDrum]

B519 is a great batch! Probably one of the most crowd pleasing ones. Hope you find a stagg Jr!! cheers!

[@eddeppenbrook4188]

Leo Chav fellow bourbon drinker in Phoenix wondering where you find Elijah Craig Barrel Proof? Any help is appreciated

[@ghantakha5568]

Although there is age difference of 12 yr vs 8 yr in this review and stagg won for u but i still like ECBP for its complexity in nose n palate n its long finish . just my opinion .

[@jmanswat2457]

The only buffalo trace product I can get anymore is just regular buffalo trace. I really wish they'd expand already so I can actually buy the rest of their lineup. Still haven't been able to even try Elmer T, Blantons, or Stag. Ugh! Wild Turkey seems to be able to do it, why can't they???

[@greircrabtree6940]

Outstanding! Have not had the chance to either. I continue to hunt! New lighting looks great!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks Greir!

[@rayadicto]

Baal Proof

[@WhiskeyStraightAl]

Two absolute belters Jason! You broke that down very nicely and explained the differences. Cheers buddy.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks Al!!

[@bigtruckboy20011]

That Elijah Craig Barrelproof C919 is fantastic, I bought a second bottle of this after the second glass. I had an A119, which was fantastic, but this C919 was a beast.

[@tribechr]

I’m glad you put the time into doing these reviews homie.

[@ironheadjump5114]

Good content. I'll do them head to head tomorrow

[@logankaptis884]

I have been waiting for this for so long! Great review and keep it up sir!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Enjoy buddy!

[@djbeacon1942]

Jason, what a great H2H review. Just found my first bottle of the C919 Friday night. And then my first bottle of GTS on Saturday morning. What a fantastic 24 hours!! Now the real fun starts! CHEERS!!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Oh your in for a treat buddy!

[@ADHDWhiskey]

In a barrel proof flight I did, the C919 barely edged out the stagg jr buuuut the C919 has been open for a couple months. They are both so good though and a comparison I wont mind doing again

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah man...this could have gone either way..I was picking up the candy and the cherry vanilla on that stagg. The C919 may still be my fav overall but the Stagg Jr in the head to head was so complex. Cheers!

[@lungtamello]

Great video. Where can I find those nosing glasses? Thanks.

[@timgargis7565]

Well done. One cannot go wrong with either. Cheers!

[@jjb9739]

Your best video yet, probably due to the two best bourbons available(imo). Both are winners.

[@TheMashandDrum]

For sure! Thanks for the kind words!

[@gregmartin1757]

Good review. Completely agree with your assessment. Both excellent bourbons. Can't really go wrong with either one of these in my opinion. Just a matter of personal preference as to which may be slightly better but i would be perfectly happy drinking either one anyday of the week.

[@scottwilliams5388]

A win win! Want both of them this year!

[@joebonjorino7376]

Did this on Super Bowl Sunday. I had the Stag Jr. ahead slightly of the EC C919, but you can’t go wrong with either one, and neither of these drink to their proof. The cherry note of the Stagg Jr. was what I thought put it over the C919. Batch 12 is a special one!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Couldnt agree more!

[@socoblue1988]

I snagged a bottle of the ECBP C919 a few weeks ago- planning on cracking it soon! I'll still try to score a Stagg Jr. this year if I can, just to have a bottle (as long as the price isn't ridiculous). Thanks for doing this double bass episode!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Dude! Either one is ridiculously good. Your gonna love that ECBP.

[@ironmantran]

THIS has got to be among the very BEST EPISODES. i got the message, bought a case of each - just to be sure. Great vid. THX

[@Claire_III]

Stagg Jr is way better than ECBP! Love the cherries in it

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah when I did these head to head its amazing how much the cherry stood out. cheers!

[@attahuijgen3617]

Hello jason which one is better c918 or c919?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Ohhhh man thats a good question...they are both amazing...I would say the C918 is a bit sweeter to me where the C919 is a bit more oaky so it depends what you like. I think the viscosity of C919 may give it the edge.

[@attahuijgen3617]

@@TheMashandDrum thx i have the 918 but i am happy because in Holland they are hard to get.

[@WhiskeyQuests]

Man. I wish Stagg JR was more available here. Seen it only once since I got into bourbon. Cheers man great head to head

[@TheMashandDrum]

Cant go wrong with either one buddy!

[@BigSteve34]

Me too and but was 129 i looked it up and had to get it after seeing everyone like it over george t stagg. I know i was raped... but I kinda liked it

[@whiskyobsessed953]

Great video, I would love to see ETL 100 yr Tribute vs. Rock Hill Farms or Blanton's Gold. I tried the ETL100 at a tasting and was a little disappointed. Could even be a BT mash bill #2 100 proof shoot out.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Great idea. Will probably do on a live stream soon.

[@TheWhiskyExplorer]

Great head-to-head J! Love these comparison videos. It’s cool that you did this with the new batches. Only wish we could get these both here in 🇨🇦. I would love to see a Wild Turkey 101 vs EW BiB double bass!

[@TheMashandDrum]

I wish everyone could get them! Cheers man!

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

This is a natural match up. Did this several times with batch 9 and C917 two years ago. Depended on the day who won but usually it was ECBP

[@TheMashandDrum]

I did this same matchup last year an ECBP won. lol. I think Batch 12 is just a special one. Cheers!

[@robbnagle]

Stagg JR!!!!! Gotta Love anything from Buffalo Trace!! But both of these bottles are definitely great finds and addition to any collection! Great Review Jason!!

[@rclem21]

Jason, these are my two favorites. I enjoy both, for different reasons also. Thanks for your awesome work. I lean towards ecbp as it's much easier to find in Chicago... I have to ration the lil Stagg

[@rclem21]

@@elijahfluw4347 great food and beautiful girls!

[@fucious70]

Stellar review. ECBP pretty easy to find in So Cal., so I have to give it to ECBP. Based on flavor...I really can't choose which one is better.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah to make it simple...it's oak vs sugar. Lol

[@3gotti305]

Awesome video! Question, what is your favorite bourbon sourced from MGP?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Some of my favs are Joseph Magnus, Belle Meade CS Reserve, some of the smooth amblers can be good...the older Boone County's are good as well.

[@3gotti305]

@@TheMashandDrum Thx Jason, I'll definitely look into those, especially the smooth amblers

[@systemtrend3194]

But is the Stagg Jr worth double the "market value" of the ECBP? lol

[@jasonwerner5761]

I've been hunting both of these in Southeast Ohio to no avail! But I had pours if each in Cbus. Loved them both but think ECBP would win for me.

[@TheMashandDrum]

It did for me initially. But the stagg got a bit better over time. Plus the cherry note got me. Lol. But honestly you cant go wrong. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@paytonwoodruff3621]

What’s your favorite bourbon bar in Columbus?

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@paytonwoodruff3621 Prohibition in Powell and McClellans.

[@paytonwoodruff3621]

The Mash and Drum awesome! Thank you. Lizardville in polaris isn’t to shabby

[@cjmixer99]

Great video! Haven’t tried either of these, and have seen raving reviews for both. Any suggestions where I can purchase of bottle of either? Much appreciated, and keep up the awesome videos 🥃

[@mpatton997]

I did a flight with the in-laws of the 3 ECBPs of 2019 and C919 won for me. I have both of these so I'll do that next and see what happens. Good video.

[@TheMashandDrum]

The C919 won for me too when I did them all head to head.

[@brittanywilliams4282]

Love them both. Stagg Jr is better by far right out of the bottle. EJBP is excellent but only after the neck. Stagg Jr. still has the edge because it has that distinctive expensive tasting barrel char. Stagg Jr. also feels better on the gums than EJBP. I paid $5 less for Stagg Jr. but I would say that Stagg Jr. is worth $25 - $35 more than EJPB. EJPB smelled and tasted like rubbing alcohol right out of the bottle. I was worried until the neck emptied. C919 EJPB just may be too high in ABV.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Good breakdown!

[@brittanywilliams4282]

@@TheMashandDrum I would have given EJPB a much lower consistency score. It starts scary but becomes excellent. I have several different batches of Stagg Jr. and every single one has been better than the corresponding Elijah Craig. While weaker in palate, B519 was far more consistent than C919. In your scoring regime with equivalent weight given to consistency and palate, I would have scored B519 higher though I prefer C919. You should consider weighting your categories. Palate should get a double weighting.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@brittanywilliams4282 For me the C919 gets very good but the oakiness starts coming through a bit more. Plus it gets a bit easier to drink. B519 never had the viscosity I love in the last 2 C batches. Consistency is really from sip to sip in that moment. Yes it changes over time, but when you have a bottle halfway down...You pretty much know what your getting overall. The Stagg just had everything going for it in this matchup.

[@jasonfisk1568]

Nice! How bout Baby Stagg vs Weller Full Proof...Or has this been sorted in a Barrel Proof blind?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Not yet but the only Weller full proof I have is my pick. Lol. Not sure it would be fair.

[@carscigarsscotchnwatches5158]

So for me the ECBP's across a year are much more consistent and better than Stagg Jr. Batch 12 is excellent, but most batches have not been as good. I had a few batches 5-6 years ago that were awesome, but overall, ECBP is consistently better.

[@TheMashandDrum]

I agree. Stagg is just a special batch. But ECBP is way more consistent across the board

[@bourbonbuddies836]

Battle for the ages!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to admit, I got all tingly all over me body when I saw the title for this Double Bass 🥃

[@brianpage6932]

I got a stagg JR B12, its fantastic, I think there's one more lotto coming up in my area for SJB12. Elijah Craig BP is about 115$ US in my area so i decided to go with 2 bottles of the Jack BP, which i got 2 of those for around 115$(US), I paid about 65(US) for my Stagg bottle, Idk why but Elijah Craig BP has always been insanely expensive in my area, in prior years it was 135$ US .

[@TheMashandDrum]

Wow that's really expensive. I would buy the jack barrel proof as well!

[@jan-paulvanderhoeven1639]

Whisky 🥃 and Double Bass 🎻. My two favorite things in the world...😁

[@TheMashandDrum]

cheers Jan-Paul!

[@marksaliba4194]

An upset knowing how much you drool over that ECBP. lol. I personally favour the BT profile. Could you please re-explain your consistency criteria? Isn't consistency the antithesis of complexity? Wouldn't you want a dram that kinda evolves as you sip? Either way, glad you enjoyed both drams. Cheers Jason.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah it's really to see how a bourbon tastes sip to sip. It can evolve over time with air in the bottle. But it's really a judgement on that pour. Does all the flavor stay strong or does it weaken and change. There's a difference of evolving and changing by losing complexity. Both of these stay on point mostly from sip to sip.

[@marksaliba4194]

@@TheMashandDrum gotcha. Thanks

[@johnd5669]

How would you rate the C919 vs all the other ECBP’s you’ve tried? Got any favorites?

[@TheMashandDrum]

the C919 and C918 are my favorites from the new bottle style releases. there are a couple of the older bottle styles that I think are a bit better.

[@johnd5669]

I had the C918 and have been trying to decide if I should try the B519 since it’s one of the lower proofs just for variety or if I should just go with the C919.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@johnd5669 if you don't like higher proofs than go with the B. Although I like the C better and you could add some water to it to proof it down a bit.

[@johnd5669]

Definitely first world problems!!! 😁

[@bourbonapprentice]

They are both so damn good. Recently did a blind that came out Batch 12 > C919 > Booker’s Kitchen Table > 1792 FP All great pours though

[@TheMashandDrum]

yeah we are all winners with these great batches.

[@69CamaroSS]

I couldn’t agree with you more. Just landed my first bottle of Stagg Jr and I’m now *RUINED!!!!* I can’t find more in SC to save my life....our allocation and distribution here SUCKS!!!!

[@Farcry-yh4mu]

same in NC, Stagg once a year in September and usually doesn't last a day on shelves

[@69CamaroSS]

Mark LaChance it never even *MAKES IT* to the shelves in SC!!! I have owners of stores and managers of huge chains that can’t even get me one of the 6 bottles they get....hell, they can’t even get *THEMSELVES* a bottle!! Figures I’d fall in love with that which I can never have! 🤦‍♂️🤬🥃😢

[@VaryingViewpoint]

Great H2H review!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Well if I can get either at MSRP or close to it I'm buying them and trying to do the comparison. Thanks for this in depth and honest review.

[@jimmueller3525]

Excellent episode! I agree on both can't go wrong with either. Stagg is harder to get here in WI.

[@trenth8576]

Nice review. I agree with the Stagg edging out the C919 ever so slightly and only because of that extra note of cherry. Both outstanding nonetheless. I think the new A120 from EC is equally comparable to these two after tasting it recently. Looking forward to your review of it. I believe ECBP is going to have a strong lineup in 2020! Cheers.

[@freddiebates3791]

My first barrel proof was batch 12 it's my favorite over E G c and b batch. The Stagg jr batch 13 is good but not as good .

[@lawrenceshuda]

W.O.W.

[@josephbrazeau5411]

LOL! You named about 8 different flavors in bourbon A and then said it's not very complex. How many flavors does it take?

[@TheMashandDrum]

12

[@spencer-mav]

Just starting the video, but I assume that at the end you throw away the loser...lol

[@TheMashandDrum]

Lmao! Yes..in my belly!

[@bgj2940]

When it comes to availability Stagg LOOSES everytime. No reason to pay $120+ secondary when you can get ECBP for $60. I would much rather have two C919's. You need to add value and availability to your scoring

[@TheMashandDrum]

I understand that. I felt like I did that when I chose ECBP over stagg Jr in my bourbons of the year. It was because of value and availability. This matchup is about the head to head flavors.

[@bgj2940]

@@TheMashandDrum I understand, I still feel there should be an availability/value row in the scoring. All this does is create demand for something that isn't twice as good as the thing you're comparing it to. In no way is Stagg Jr B12 twice as good as C919.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@bgj2940 I will consider that. I like that idea. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers.

[@nvrp813]

@@bgj2940 I fail to see how this video will create demand for one and not the other. Availability is based on location. I believe the point of this series is to compare two similar, but different, bourbons. Secondary pricing should not have any bearing on flavor profile and preference. Not to mention each glass is scored semi-blind.

[@bgj2940]

@@nvrp813 First it's not just this review... This review is just one extra confirmation that reaffirms ppl into buying a product that is already too scarce. I can't tell you how many ppl pass by another great BP option just to pay twice as much for Stagg Jr. when it doesn't bring twice as much punch, taste, finish, value etc... You can't run away from the value perspective and it deserves to be noted in a review. I'm not knocking Jason in anyway, I love his reviews. His tasting notes line up with mine, and he does a great job providing history and stories about what he's reviewing. I just think value plays a HUGE part and needs to be front and center so ppl are truly informed about products out there. Lastly this whole review was if you could only buy one which one would it be... Well with scores this close and true street pricing being so far apart the answer is clear. Two C919's for the price of one Stagg Jr.

[@davidhatton5180]

Can only get the EC in michigan never seen a Stagg JR in michigan

[@TheMashandDrum]

Still a great option. great bourbon!

[@aukemist]

Bet the scores would change if you factor in availability LOL

[@TheMashandDrum]

Ummmm yup! LOL...thats why ECBP C919 was higher on my 2019 list. lol

[@aukemist]

@@TheMashandDrum haha love em both tho! 🤫and i do like the Stagg Jr better

[@bazookaboy2377]

You wear fake hair or over gel either way can’t draw my eyes away

[@mmanente]

Love this Jason, been waiting for this and coincidentally had a similar idea because I love these 2 expression so much. So I blinded the 4 ECBP I have (B517 C918 B519 C919) just last night and the 2 winners which ended up being 1st B517 and 2nd C918 I’m putting up against Stagg Jr. Batch 12 & 13 tonight. Very excited about it. Another great job man. Cheers

[@eatanelkberger]

And....

[@mmanente]

eatanelk berger stay tuned. Got stuck at work the past 2 night.