Stagg Jr.
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Stagg Jr. is a highly regarded, high-proof bourbon frequently used as a benchmark for the barrel-proof category. It is celebrated for its bold flavor profile—often characterized by cherry cola and jammy fruit notes—though its reputation is heavily impacted by extreme scarcity and significant price inflation on the secondary market.
Pros
- Intense, high-proof experience (typically 120+ proof)
- Rich flavor profile featuring cherry, cola, and jammy fruit notes
- Considered a top-tier expression of the Buffalo Trace mash bill
- Highly rewarding for those who can find it at or near MSRP
Cons
- Extremely difficult to find at retail prices
- Secondary market prices can reach $325-$350, which many users feel diminishes the value
- Batch-to-batch variance leads to inconsistent experiences across different releases
Caveats
- Some enthusiasts suggest that recent batches may not offer the same 'insane value' as releases from several years ago
- Often compared unfavorably to George T. Stagg (GTS), though it remains a favorite in its own right
Best for
- Fans of high-proof, barrel-strength bourbons
- Collectors of Buffalo Trace products
- Drinkers who enjoy bold, fruit-forward whiskey profiles
Avoid if
- You are unwilling to pay significantly over MSRP
- You prefer lower-proof or more readily available 'daily drinker' bourbons
- You find high-proof spirits too aggressive for your palate
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older, with a median age of 421 days, which may not reflect the most recent batch releases or current market pricing fluctuations.
Sentiment
14 positive (64%) · 6 mixed (27%) · 2 negative (9%)
Trust + time weighted score: +52% · raw score 55%
What redditors said (10 of 22)
Stagg Jr is 👍 its probably the Burbon Ive drank the most of this year. Went to a buddies house back in the summer and we blinded 5 different Stagg Jrs. The 22A for me and I think for him too was the best.
I got Stagg Jr for $80 and EH TAylor barrel proof at $105 on thanksgiving at a grocery store in California.
Stagg Jr will run you abiut 325/350 and up here in Michigan.
Parent context: I liked it. A good replacement for stagg jr (I do like stagg jr better). Reply: I found it nowhere near the league of Stagg Jr. I know palates differ, but this, for $70 was at best a mixer. I’d rather have Rare Breed neat.
Same with recent batches of Stagg jr.
You watch videos like the Bourbon Junkies comparing recent Stagg Jr. batches to batches like 13, 15, 17, etc and you see while bottles like 24A or D or whatever are still very good, they aren't the insane values they were 5 years ago
Parent context: That I've tried? Weller cypb although a stagg jr was close. That i can get close to msrp? EH Taylor Small Batch. I really enjoy Buffalo Trace products but because of scarcity and secondary market it's kind of a pain. Reply: Yeah, it's too bad they aren't more available, but hopefully we see more availability in the coming years.
We asked to see the bottle and it was Stagg Jr.
Maybe it's my imagination, but I tend to like these a bit better than Stagg Jr., which is the closest BT comparison in my cabinet that I can think of (same mash bill).
Stagg Jr is very good IMO.
Compare
Stagg Jr. vs Old Forester 1924Stagg Jr. vs Wild Turkey Rare BreedStagg Jr. vs Eagle Rare
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