Stagg Bourbon: The Cherry Bomb That Shakes the Earth
Formerly known as Stagg Jr., this barrel-proof brute has been renamed but not tamed. At 130 proof, it's Kentucky in its most concentrated, uncompromising form.
When Buffalo Trace decided to rename Stagg Jr. to simply "Stagg" in 2021, they weren't just simplifying a label—they were acknowledging that this barrel-proof bourbon had grown into something worthy of standing on its own. No longer the junior version of anything, Stagg has become one of the most anticipated biannual releases in American whiskey.
Let's talk about what makes Stagg special: this is a bourbon that tastes like someone took an already excellent spirit and turned the flavor dial to eleven. At 126-134 proof depending on the batch, it delivers the kind of intensity that barrel-proof devotees live for—massive, unapologetic, and loaded with the dark fruit character that has become its signature calling card.
The nose is explosive: cherry, raspberry, and dark fruit cascade from the glass alongside caramel, vanilla, and serious barrel char. There's leather and baking spice in the background, creating an aroma so rich you could nearly eat it with a spoon. Each batch varies—some lean more toward cherry compote, others toward dark berry jam—but the overall character remains unmistakably Stagg.
On the palate, the cherry bomb detonates. Bold cherry and berry sweetness hit with full weight and density, followed by leather, charred oak, bittersweet chocolate, and waves of molasses and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is thick, almost syrupy, with a coating quality that refuses to let go. Despite the fearsome proof, the best batches drink remarkably smooth—a testament to Buffalo Trace's careful barrel selection.
The finish lingers with sweet fruit, oak, and the characteristic "Kentucky hug" that will warm your chest for minutes. Some batches carry a slight medicinal bite; others finish clean as a church bell. The inconsistency between batches is both Stagg's frustration and its charm—you're never quite sure which version you'll get.
At MSRP ($65), Stagg is among the best barrel-proof values in bourbon. At anything above $100 on the secondary market, the equation changes dramatically. But find one at retail, and you've found a bottle that will make you forget about every allocated bottle you've ever chased.
