George T. Stagg® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml (2023 Release)

Tasting Notes

• Nose: A "cherry bomb" on the nose. It opens with dark cherry cola, cinnamon Red Hots, and molasses. As it breathes, you’ll find notes of leather, tobacco leaf, and toasted marshmallow.
• Palate: Extremely rich and viscous. It coats the tongue with dark chocolate, fudge, and toffee, followed by a mid-palate of blackberries, espresso, and vanilla bean. The heat is present but remarkably well-integrated.
• Finish: "Lasts for days." A long, warming finish of clove, barrel char, and dark fruit cordial with a lingering herbal hint of spearmint.

Food Pairings

At 135 proof, this bourbon will overwhelm delicate flavors. You need rich, fatty, and intensely flavored foods.

• Savory: Smoked Wagyu Brisket or Blue Cheese-Crusted Filet Mignon. The intense fat content is required to stand up to the 67.5% ABV.
• Cheese: Aged Stilton or Old Amsterdam Gouda. The salt and "crunch" of an aged cheese contrast beautifully with the bourbon’s cherry and chocolate notes.
• Sweet: Pecan Pie with Bourbon Cream or Black Forest Cake. The dark cherries and chocolate in the cake mirror the primary flavors of the 2023 Stagg.
• The "Stagg" Ritual: Because of the proof, many enthusiasts pair this with nothing but a single large clear ice cube or a few drops of water to let the flavors "bloom."