Stagg Barrel Proof Bourbon

The Stagg (formerly Stagg Jr.) Barrel Proof Bourbon is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and consistent "value" pours in the Buffalo Trace lineup—provided you can find it at its modest MSRP. Originally launched in 2013 as the younger, more "rambunctious" sibling to the 15-year-old George T. Stagg found in the Antique Collection, this expression famously dropped the "Jr." from its label starting with Batch 18 (Winter 2022) to reflect the brand's maturity and standalone legendary status.

Each batch is a marriage of barrels aged roughly 8 to 9 years, bottled uncut and unfiltered using Buffalo Trace’s low-rye Mashbill #1 (shared with Eagle Rare and E.H. Taylor). Because it is a barrel-proof product, the ABV fluctuates with every release, typically landing between 125 and 135 proof.

Collector’s Tip

Stagg is notorious for "opening up" significantly after the first pour. Many enthusiasts find that the neck pour can be overly ethanol-forward, but after the bottle sits with a bit of headspace for 2–3 weeks, the heat recedes to reveal the deeper, more complex fruit and oak notes.