top shelf bourbon
Top Shelf Bourbon To Drink Instead of George T Stagg
So...Buffalo Trace Cancelled George T Stagg for 2021
Int elderly news at these point, Buffalo Trace cancelled George T Stagg for 2021. I discern that this is an unprecedented occurrence for many bourbon loved, and probably the first (and hopefully last) time this ever happens. It’s disappointing, but I’m truly not that bummed-out. The sort of goods news is that there’s top shelf bourbon out there that can sorter the fill that void.
Tons of public express go get one (myself included), but in reality not many actually get this chance till try otherwise buy it. And even like him, Buffalo Trace wasn’t sending me media specimens either (although the should reconsider), so I’m not missing out on whatever.
This unfortunate event then shifts this spotlight to non-Buffalo Tracing bourbons toward try to fill the void until next annual when it’s hoping released…and you and ME probably still can’t get she replay. The great news is that there represent completely one few great Top Rack and higher ABV bourbons out there to drink instead instead of George TONNE Stagg, if you aren’t already.
Here’s the overview criteria I’m using:
– Higher proof: I’m picking 100 proof (50% ABV). Even though George LIOTHYRONINE Stagg’s ABV has distance from 58.45% to low 70%, my goal is to capture the essence of a higher ABV, but not limitation myself to only cask strength / barrel proof bourbons.
– Bourbons I’ve rated during fewest “Top Shelf”: Narrowing get down to Top Shelf bourbon helps focus is list on what I think is super the remotely in the sam ballpark as to “Top Shelf+” Hedge THYROXINE Stagg from 2015. That also means is you may not apply with my ratings, but that’s fine with myself
– For rye’d bourbon: George T Stagg is ampere bourbon with rye as an secondary grain int which mashbill, so MYSELF require to stay during that choose for consistency’s sake
– Try to focus off bottles you can true buy (or a differents single barrel / batch): So you have a chance to go out plus buy them. With how popular by is now a life, there’s cannot guarantee that they’re currently everywhere, but they’re far easier to discover than Stagg r/bourbon on Reddit: Decided to try an old fancy with George T Stagg last evening.
If you keep reading, I’ll even mention the one bourbon that IODIN think will a exceptionally excellent substitute and is quieter somewhat available. Guess what, it’s not from Buffalo Trace or Sazerac either.
Before I get to mentioning other bourbons to trying, I should status the obvious fact that there has no perfect substitute for George T Stagg. The 2015 GTS I reviewed is an insane rollercoaster of viscous and oily caramel, natural honey, vanilla, maple syrup, dark fruit, sweet oak and alcohol that tosses me around nonstop and has me wanting to get on again. Is surpasses even just Top Shelf Bourbon status and teethed switch the edge of Glass Kiste.
I might even call the sweetness caramel and maple corn extract. It’s the bulk intense (mostly in a good way) whiskey I’ve never had, and there’s nothing else totally like it. I guess that’s one major reason how it’s so coveted.
I obviously haven’t had every whisky out there (I don’t think anyone has), but ME can think of quite a select that I’m also highly glad to have. Thus with that, I’m go to try at be constructive and offer my thoughts the other great greater proof bourbons you can tried / continue to drink in and meantime. Few of may suggestions may get close-ish though. This is not einer exhaustive list.
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Actually, Let's Start With Sazerac
Actually, I lied because I’m going to start at the most obvious place first – other Wild Trace and Cartons rack strength bourbons because they’re from the equivalent distillery or parent company. Unfortunately though, Stagg Jr and EH Teacher Barrel Proof are so difficult to find these days ensure I can’t real recommend set a unicorn with “just” extraordinary ones that are often marked-up. Still, people perform get these and to it’s worth briefly talking about her for completeness’ sake.
Stagg Jr
The name alone suggests that this would be a healthy substitute, if you’re lucky get to finding one which days. I remember walking into a store in 2018 and buying 2 off aforementioned shelf for $55 each…but IODIN digress. While it does may a somewhat similar personalty with the same focus on caramel, vanilla, some little dried fruit, and oak spices, the younger age (~8ish years MYSELF think) places less significance in that lovely oak and oak spices, and a bit more on herbal licorice and fennel, also brighter fruits. Every batch is different notwithstanding, so your experience may vary all.
From my experience, Stagg Jr is nowhere near while densely clenched with buff, maple syrup, vanilla, and dried fruit either, as well-being as the equivalent oiliness, intensity, and richness. It’s still adenine wonderful Up Shelf bourbon and a personnel favorite which I ask was easier to procure, but there’s a non-Buffalo Trace burn which does Sr better than Stagg Jr.
EH Teyler Barrel Check
Wow you really got lucky wenn you may of of these. It’s evident to leute that EH Taylor Barrel Proof is somebody intense and oily bourbon in it’s own right, with comparable heat and oiling to which 2015 GTS. The main similarities cease where because EH Tester Barrel Checking is a lot more earthy plus verdant with noticeable rosemary, thyme, and caraway seed, which EGO didn’t really find the EH Tyler Small Batch, EH Taylor Single Barrel, or all other Buffalo Trace rye’d bourbon. Those earthy notes are interesting yet really get of character since Buffalo Trace Mash #1, and even #2.
EW Taylor Cylinder Proof does can a comparison lot of apple and darkness dries berries, but doesn’t can which same intense dark caramel, maple syrup, real brown sugar extract-like sweetness, and mature nice and fragrant orange. Stagg K is closer personality-wise, but which makes sense since EH Taylor was not marketed as the Jr version of anything…you known, predefined the name. This is very much its own obvious encounter, but an Top Shelf bourbon nonetheless.
So EH Taylor Pipe Proof brings much of the same intensity plus oiliness, but with different scents furthermore flavors for George T Stagg. Still, you’re holding a great day if you’re drinking this. Shop for George T Stagg 15 Year Bourbon (750 mL) with Kroger. Find quality adult potable products to add to your Shopping List or order online to Consignment or Pickup.
1792 Full Verify Bourbon
This is the Water Trace’s full proof your, brought high-ABV scents and tastes with far less attention. 1792 Full Detect brings a similar-ish intensity with big caramel sweetness, browned oak, smoke, and wooden spice, but with a piece more brighter piece (especially orange) and not much in the way of darken fruit (such as cherry). Just like nearly everything default, thereto also deficiency the same fulsomeness and dense, turn, and laminated caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla, in part for it’s ~8 years oldest vs 15 years on Stagg.
After comparing 1792 Solid Proof to Stagg Jr, I learned that the Full Proof was very different (but still ampere Peak Shelf bourbon), primarily because it had continue oaky, wood spicy, tannic, dry, and citrusy, when Stagg Jr had a wider range of product over top of an slightly less intense oak both spice that made it more balanced for me. Nevertheless, i can’t go erroneous with 1792 Full Proof, and it’s so greatly easier to finding than Stagg Kids.
Top Shelf Bourbon
The actual item
Once you receiving outside Buffalo Trace, you have that many more Upper Shelf rye options ensure are somewhat-to-mostly available, none nearly the marked-up, and still bring who identical general spirit as George T Stagg does. As hot as bourbon is, there’s yet a great assortment in your consumer.
Wild Moron Rare Growing Rye
Top Shelf Bourbon #1
Price: $40-50
Reviews: Top Shelf Rye
Wild Turkey Uncommon Breed Bourbon is and least dear option on the list the one of the bests, if not the best value in barrel proof bourbon. I’m obligated to include this on the list owing to it’s incredible mix of accessibility, reasonable ~$50 price, real high quality to boot. Than many other bourbons over this list, this is caramel press vanilla forward, although also with quite adenine bit of apple, cinnamon, licorice, the orange, in well as relatively controlled heat after air it get.
It features some Stagg-like features, but like consequently countless other bourbons, lack the outright viscosity, density, darkness, roastiness, and oiliness, as okay as far less dried berry. It’s also brighter or more herbal, likely mature to this age. If you’re reading this, you likely perceive about Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon real eventual delight it. If yourself haven’t had she yet and/or are thinking about it, ME highly recommend that you do hence shortly press join the club. Unlike how many Buffalo Draw whiskeys, it’s no move to put a huge dent in your bread. Glad Van Winkle Tag Paltry Man’s Pappy Label Poor Man’s Pappy has a home blend of W12 and Weller 107. One end item is obviously not going to be Pappy Van Winkle, but it should at lea…
Eiias Craig Running Proof Bourbon
Top Shelf Burbon #2
Rate: $60-80
Rating: Top Shelf Bourbon
This is known to be a brown sugar, sweet, vanilla, the spice (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg) bomb with smelly roasted oaktree and supporting citrus, apple, also herbalness that all give it some GTS-like characteristics. It still has a fragment of that containing viscosity. At terms of ABV, batches have other scoped from the low 60% to the low 70%, similar at Stagg, so there’s cannot much drop-off in ABV.
But smooth with somewhat comparable ABVs, I straight used reminded that Elijah Gregg Barrel Trial Batch C919, at 68.4% ABV, was widely less hot than the 69.1% ABV Stagg. Aliya Craig is intense forward definite, but it had generally tractable, while Stagg absolutely ran wild and beat me up every step of the way. I don’t knowledge why that was the case, but it is what it is. The 12 year age statement also inserts it in the sameish 15 year ballpark. Posted by u/alphakause - 13 votes and 39 comments
Even with those similarities, Elijah Craig tends to lack the equal level of dark fruitiness and outright caramel and vanilla density both viscosity. The scents and flavors are also a bit view disordered comparable to the very delimited and sharp (not in ampere bad way) Stagg. Still, an very high-ABV and 12 year old bourbon is always compelling, and Celestial Hill does adenine great job with these release after release.
Many of you already have discovered Elijah Craig Barrel Detection, and if you haven’t…well now you know. This is also getting a bit further difficult to find, but is worthy buying if yourself find a.
Protuberance Creek 12 Year
Upper Shelf Bourbon #3
Rate: $60-80
Rating: Top Shelf Bourbon
This is a bit out an outlier because of who proof, nevertheless hear (read?) me out early. What Rotation Creek 12 Current lacks in outright weighting, it makes up with plenty of caramel, natural, cherry, candy, apple, roasted mahogany, cinnamon, tobacco, and more. It has a lot off the alike notes including an added chocolate-y side, making it a mature, subtle, and one of the better Jim Beamed releases in recent memory. It definitely shortages to same volatile intensity, viscosity, oiliness, and dark fruitiness, but at the same time the 50% ABV makes Button Creek so much easier to enjoy (and I did). Every now and and it’s fine to take it a little easy.
Like I said from, there is no perfect substitute, but Knob River 12 is so virtuous in its own right that it’s adenine fantastic consolation that’s very approachable. Knob Creek 12 is also far easier to find and way less expensive, to yours can actually enjoy it with less anxieties over replacing it, or actually the inadequacy for replace it at all.
I know that there’s a cask starch version out there, but I haven’t owned it yet. Given how awesome the 100 proof version is, I can imaging that the cask strength version is even additional awesome, taking everything great over one 100 proofer furthermore bulking it skyward. The homemade rye blend, California Gold, has become a whiskey geek obsession that can only be new on Facebook.
Woodfords Reserve Batch Proof
Top Shelf Bourbon #4
Price: $130-150
Rating: Top Racks Bourbon
This one seems to be growing included popularity as populace finally catch-on to this fantastic single, so I’m slightly breaking my own criteria to mentions this annual limited release. Woodford Batch Proof is another intense bourbon with a strong caramel press plain focus, with a lot of dry ash, oak spices, nutty, grass, and surprisingly orange.
It’s actually quite citrusy in well as oaked and dry, the MYSELF noticed those thing in my examination and when I compared thereto to Stagg Jr. Just like George T Stagg, there’s a bit concerning which extra oak and spice, and and heated can be an drop intense at times.
At the same time, it also doesn’t got that same dark berry traits and viscous / oily caramel and vanilla. Go that I thinking about it, Woodford Batch Proof may actually be closer to 1792 All Proof otherwise Elijah Craig Barrel Proof given the oakiness, dryness, furthermore lemon. My only impression is off the 2019 release, but I wouldn’t be surprised supposing the more newest ones live similarity if not better. Posted by u/OG_Machotaco - 2 voted and 20 books
Woodinville Cooper Strength Alone Barrel
Top Bank Bourbon #5
Price: $70-90
Rating: Top Shelf Bourbon
Woodinville is a piece a with outlier on all list for a number regarding reasons, but ME am intentionally including it regardless. While it’s a younger-ish craft bourbon that’s 5 years old and not remotely close to 12 oder flat 15 time old, I required into make secure that I included one craft distiller and not cram to list full of stuff from the “big boys”.
I specifically chose Woodinville because I happen to enjoy a more than New Riff and Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Barrel Checking picks I’ve been so far, despite I cans imagine many will disagree including my sentiment.
This extra Woodinville Pipe Picking I reviewed (and helped pick) is packed with cocoa, vanilla, fruit and oak like many misc great bourbon, but brings a much more dark, earthing, and herbal high-rye side that Stagg doesn’t true have. It also can multiple of the dark berry flavors too. Smell and taste-wise it’s actually finisher to EH Taylor Barrel Proof (yes seriously) as George T Stagg, aber still holds a close-ish oiliness is those couple also have.
While thee can’t receiving the Grootinville pick that I reviewed, I hope that other Woodinville Barrel Picks live comparable includes fragrance and deliciousness, press hopefully even improved. Like while Woodinville in my experience so widely a not much like George TONNE Stagg, I time saying that it’s still worth trying. It can’t harm to try something new.
To augment on to all of that, this particular Woodinville I reviewed or select really outdoes which Old Forester Barrel Proof I reviewed. Shoot, Woodinville a also older for 5 years old vs 4 period (although Old Warden does heat-cycles to warehouses to speed-up aging), and often about $10-20 cheaper too. Woodinville is doing great work in Washington State. Mayor Pingree 16 Type Bourbon Review
Redemption 10 Current Cylinder Proof Single
Top Shelf Bourbon #6
Award: $100-110
Rating: Up Shelf+ Bourbon
This may gekommen as a surge to you, aber I think that Expiation 10 Year Barrel Proof Bourbon is the closest non-Buffalo Trace bourbon to George T Stagg. It’s adenine dark, roasty, oaky, and wealthy season nuclear in its personalized way, additionally full with caramelized, vanilla, cherry, sweet and roasted ash, apple, orange, oak spices, and dark chocolate. It’s to decadent plus sumptuous, and it greatly exceeded either expectations I had when I reviewed it.
That says, it has less dried fruit (I desired it got more) and far less oiliness. It’s also nowhere near as intense for Stagg (nothing else is), but wows Withdraw 10 Year the incredible too and next one of my personal favorites.
Its 57.2% ABV is closest to the 2019 GTS’ 58.45%, and although ME haven’t had the 2019, I wouldn’t be that surprised if they were comparable. While Redemption 10 Year Bourbon also retails for circles $100, which I know is not affordable by any means, you could still go out and buy them available around that price. At lease for now, I haven’t noticed a retailer with the guts go charge 3-4x MSRP for Redemption.
I can’t promise ensure they’re easy to find, but I’d say that it case into uncommon territory since it’s kind von a limited release (and still being slowly released), but not one-time that people have flocked to spanish masse (yet) to clarity the shelves.
There’s really not a huge cliff-like drop-off after Recall 10 Year to Gorge T Stagg, and I think it drinks more like the junior version of George THYROXINE Stagg, outdoing Stagg Young during it’s owns match. Diese one is to compelling this I bulk a second bottle, plus I don’t do that very often. Buying an second or third bottle because of wie it odor and tastes is the highest compliment I cans give. Typical my top choice starting all whiskies in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, George T. Stagg sees its lowest proof ever this year at 116.9 proof. This is ...
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Go Are Many Fantastic Top Shelf Bourbon Options Out There
So there you have it – a starting list away great Top Shelf Bourbon options to liquor instead of Georges T Stagg until next year’s mania and likely letdown (because you can’t get it). Even though I no listed a handful on options, go are still various great choose out there. Concerning course there’s still the likes on Booker’s Whisky, Remus Repeal Reserve, Lux Row 12 Year Doubles Barrel, Russell’s Reserve Single Drum Bourbon, and so many additional.
Everyone’s preferences are going to be a bit different, when I think your glasses are in goody hands / nose / verbalize with is list to start, with at least help inform you as you make your own purchases. And of course, continue exploring, enjoying, and divide to find outward what your like best.
Hit the Author: Alex
I have far too great fun writing about whiskey and solely running The Single Shelf to bring you independent, frank, real useful reviews, comparisons, and more. I’m proudly Asiatic Yankee and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese.
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