Review of George T. Stagg 2004. . . .

After the initial release of this mysterious bourbon in 2002, which promptly took Whiskey Of The Year honors, the 2003 version at a staggering 142.7 proof disappointed many people. I was not one of them. Although a bit stronger than the 2002 release, which clocked in at 137.6 proof, this unfiltered, uncut bourbon's 2003 version of 15 years age tantalized my taste buds well enough to take the No. 10 spot on my Top 25 Bourbon List. The 2002 award winning version occupies the No. 8 spot, despite a hauntingly annoying base flavor of pickle brine. There's just something so powerfully flavorful and complex I have no argument with it's Whiskey Of The Year 2002 title.

The 2004, 129 proof version of this bourbon, whose recipe and origins are still a mystery even to a reliable industry insider, was a waste of my money and time. I have just concluded my fourth, or maybe fifth tasting of this bourbon, and if I took Lewis and Clark on the expedition with me I still couldn't have found the flavor. Plenty of heat at 129 proof, and it acts like it MIGHT hit you with some flavor as it hits your mouth, but the only hit was to my wallet.

I'm not sure if this stuff was created to compete with Booker's True Barrel Bourbon, which is made by the Jim Beam Distillery, the original modern uncut, unfiltered bourbon, but this release of George T. Stagg bourbon just plain sucks. And considering the price of the first two versions, and that Booker's stands at a solid No. 4 on my Top 25, I'd recommend that they just stop pretending and also stop producing this horse piss.

Whiskey Of The Year 2002 or not, at the price that was being charged for bottles of the stuff, and still being charged by those who still have that version, I'd say shelve it and try again. Sure, I have no argument with 2002's award, but it's more like I was super intrigued rather than super impressed. 2003 was more to my liking, but the flavor was muted compared to the 2002 version.

And last but not least, as already noted, there is no flavor to the 2004 version. It's just a brown colored 129 proof bottled water if you ask me. I bought two bottles of this stuff recently. Anybody want the other one?

On second thought, forget it, my momma didn't raise no thieves.

:barf:

The Top 25 remains intact, but stay tuned because there's more to come.

Well, I knew better than to expect the same thing, because George T. Stagg is like the Evan Williams Single Barrel offerings. It's a vintage, which means each release is different, so there were no expectations on my part, only that I wouldn't be drinking horse piss.

As for what I said after my first tasting, I tried it on a day that I was spending a lot of time on the computer, telephone and in general puttering around the house doing this and that. The one flavor that it seems like it MIGHT have intrigued me to the point where I wondered afterward why it had been so muted. I concluded that it MUST have been because I was so busy that I wasn't concentrating on what it tasted like, and that evidently whatever it had to offer blew right past me.

In other words I thought, awwww, c'mon, it's way better than I really think, it must be ME, not the WHISKEY. I mean, after all, wasn't there a candy like flavor in there SOMEWHERE???

But, one shouldn't really have to CONCENTRATE if the flavor is really there, right? So I made sure that subsequent tastings were done under the "proper" conditions. Well, after three or four tastings done under the proper conditions, I can see that it wasn't for a lack of concentrating on the flavors. It was for a lack of flavor. I realized you'd get back to me with what I said after my first tasting, and I spent part of last night figuring out how to answer you. And that is my conclusion.

It DOES act like it's GOING to have a flavor, but after those last three or four tastings, I can easily see that it just doesn't.

And believe me, if I could mail this out to someone, I WOULD!!! No charge either, because I can't see selling someone else a bottle of horse piss, even though I paid for it. But unfortunately, the crackdown in the post office, UPS, etc., over the past few years has taken care of my outgoing whiskey shipments. So I'll just have to give it to someone close by.

Yes, I think you've made that reference before. Well, if that's indeed true, let's all just remember that most bourbon IS cut and filtered, and then becomes the end product of whichever label goes on it. So I guess I'm a guy who generally prefers his whiskey cut and filtered. As for putting some water in it, I'd rather see those bottles go to someone else. And yes, that Kentucky limestone water must be some special tasting stuff indeed.

Last, but not least, it's okay to tell me publicly. You know I don't mind playing a fool, even in public, after all . . .

I AM . . .

The Great Dumboni, and there is no other. :sm_angel:

So, which bourbon does George T. Stagg 2004 really become after filtering and cutting? :help:

Well, don't forget, I'd have to be able to filter it the way the distillery does also. And I'd have to know EXACTLY how much water to put in. And because our water is probably different from what they use down there, whatever it is, that I wouldn't get the same flavor anyway. Why don't you just tell me so I don't have to look at the bottles until I give them away again?

I've got so much other stuff with a few more bottles coming in, so I won't be going back to it. But I submit to you that when filtered and watered, it becomes a different product, no? But like I said, I can take a public whipping, so give it to me.

:giveup: :help: :giveup: :flush:

Hollow Point is in hiding. Like any true friend and decent human being, he is unwilling to wound a friend, especially in public. He does not want to show me up, to make me out to be a "fake, phony, fraud"*.

Nay, I say, have at it!! We are friends for life nonetheless. Therefore I beseech thee, sharpen thy lance, bring forth the mystery bourbon that once filtered, watered, blessed and bottled is really George T. Stagg in disguise. Here, I say, choose from among them. I hereby post my Top 25 Bourbon List. Tell us all. The Bloofdom shall stand regardless.

Have at it!!! I can take it like a man, even if some folks around here DO call me Nicolette!!!

:dunno: :duh: :duh: :duh:

Top 25 Bourbon List

1. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 year old
2. Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 year old
3. The Classic Cask Single Batch 20 year old
4. Booker's True Barrel
5. W.L. Weller Wheated 19 year old
6. Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish
7. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old
8. George T. Stagg 2002
9. Baker's
10. George T. Stagg 2003
11. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year old
12. Knob Creek
13. Pure Kentucky
14. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve
15. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old
16. Basil Hayden’s
17. Henry McKenna 10 year old bonded
18. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
19. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
20. Blanton’s
21. Fighting Cock 6 year old
22. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 year old
23. W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 year old
24. Old Commonwealth
25. Jim Beam Black 8 year


* - "fake, phony, fraud," a Bob Grant-ism.

One of J.R. Ewing's favorite lines on Dallas through the years:

"Hey boyahs, how ya doin', bourbon 'n' branch?"

This is like waiting for the train in Bad Day At Black Rock. It comes every month or so. :help: :? :ehsmile: :help:

Put it this way, Master Whiskey. Perhaps you would like to elicit a pledge from me that I will not allow this bottle to be touched until the day we meet in person? I will be glad to give you my word.

As for being TOO much for me, I think you've already read my review of my latest bottle of Booker's. Now THAT'S what barrel proof bourbon is supposed to taste like. But what the heck, at least the Stagg 2004 is THOROUGHBRED Kentucky horse piss.

And it's all yours, now matter how many years it takes for us to meet in the middle of the two coasts we occupy, or perhaps for one of us to be found on the other. Just say the word. You can have it bro, 'cause I sure ain't drinkin' it!!! :cryinlaugh: :neer: :mrgreen:

Welllll, should I put it in a safe, secluded place?

:roll: :sm_angel: umpkin: :sm_angel:

The other 6! :mrgreen:

Well, there are others to give it to, but one never knows what the opinions will be. If I don't find someone "appreciative" I'll save it for you. :sm_angel: