George T. Stagg 15 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

George T. Stagg is a limited-production bourbon whiskey distributed by Buffalo Trace Distillery, as part of the distillery's 'Antique Collection ' series. It is a high proof, uncut, unfiltered bourbon, aged for approximately 15 years. Originally distributed only once a year in the autumn, in 2005 a second spring release was added from which a tiny allocation has just landed in Australia. Jim Murray, in his 2006 Whisky Bible rated the Spring 2005 release 97 points, exclaiming “…just what is it about George T. Stagg? Three bottlings in the last year, and two are in the short list of six for Whisky of the Year. The quality defies belief…!!” Stocks are extremely limited.

The Spring 2005 Release was produced from Kentucky Corn, Minnesota Rye & North Dakota malted barley. The ferment was double distilled then matured in new white oak barrels with a 55 second char. 55% of the original whiskey was lost to evaporation.

Tasting note: Deep gold / orange colour. A shellac top note gradually settles down to reveal maple syrup, choc fudge and dried cocnout. With time in the glass, blood orange notes emerge offering a fruity counterpoint. Intense, bitter-sweet palate flavours deliver blood orange, dark chocolate, vanilla and spice with outstanding length and surprising balance at this strength. Finishes dry with an orange rind, caramel fade. This whisky unfolds with time in the glass. Unfortunately the volume of our sample didn't permit a second taste with the addition of water. 65.9% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... For all its enormity in strength, this is a pussycat on the nose, with playful, yet  elegant brushstrokes of cough sweet (Fishermen's Friend!), dried dates and camp coffee. Bust and beautiful. Wonderful delivery of confident tannins, bolstered by a double whammy of fruit and corn which dissolve in the mouth to quite stunning effect. Enormous, yet so wonderful. Perhaps this is what sex is like for masochists. Again, on the finish, the alcoholic strength is defied by the deftness of the lapping flavours that break upon the tastebuds. More coffee and cocoa notes with slighlty sweetened citrus zest. Whisky of the year? Probably has to be. The tasting of whiskies for this year's bible has been so difficult because the quality has jumped so high. But nothing has quite reached these heights... 64.5% Alc/Vol. (129 proof)
Rating: 97 - Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible, 2006