His & Her Reviews: his (re)review of Stagg Jr. Batch 13

The Lovely Assistant got to try the benefits of her own generosity in her review yesterday, and today I’m re-reviewing my still-number-one King bottle. As you can see from the photos, my Stagg Jr. is decidedly past the midway point of its life, but it still hits with maximum intensity.

Nose: There’s a sharp rap of ethanol right as you pour it, but it quickly gives way to caramel drenched oak staves and Luxardo cherries. To me, this is what always makes Stagg Jr. and A’bunadh stand apart — this is such a furiously sweet and dense nose, equal parts enticing and angry. It’s like a rabid teddy bear.

Palate: This palate has always been a gorgeous three-beat waltz for me. First, there’s a heat and dense caramel that continues intensifying and condensing until it’s a thick molasses. The molasses gives way to a decadent toasted pecan verging into praline pecan that is still the strongest, richest nutty note I’ve ever found in a bourbon. Finally there’s a hell-on-wheels return of the Luxardo cherry in the late palate that fuses with the molasses flavors into an old school soda fountain cherry cola as you swallow.

Finish: The Stagg Hug is real, and I only hope you get to experience it many times in your life. Caramel, oak, and molasses run the show, with the 8 years and 8 months of aging flexing their strength at the conclusion.

Summary: Shut the gate on this one, Maxy. It’s the duck’s guts.

I mean, it’s still perfect. I admit I can’t be objective about this one, but even accounting for my enthusiasm, you’re still left with a mind-blowing whiskey. Despite at most having only 50% of its tank left, this bottle hasn’t lost a beat. Much like the Mailman, it always delivers. Every phase of this sip is just a joy to experience, and I would again rate this bottle as one of the best whiskies in the world regardless of category.

Image courtesy of Jon who also writes on Low Class & High Proof.

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