Stagg (Formerly Jr) Batch 23B
Overall Score: 8.25/10
Value: 5/5 at MSRP
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company, Inc.
Release Date: Fall 2023
Proof: 127.8
Age: NAS (rumored 7-9 years)
Mashbill: Rye Mash 1
Color: Hazelnut
MSRP: $65 (2024)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Stagg (formerly Stagg Jr) Batch 23B delivers rich, dark red fruits, reminiscent of cherry and raspberry pie, mingling with a sugary fruit roll-up vibe. A deeper layer emerges with chocolate notes—Tootsie Roll and caramel—combined with cinnamon graham crackers and a sweetness similar to baklava or crème brûlée.
The palate of the Stagg 23B Bourbon is a flavor-packed pour, showcasing sweet, dark fruit profiles like brandied maraschino cherries, grape jelly, and fig. It offers a full-bodied, rich experience that brings to mind a perfectly balanced Old Fashioned with toned-down orange notes. There’s a satisfying complexity here, with subtle savory flavors of pie crust and hints of blueberry and banana rounding it out.
The finish is sweet, fruity, and lingering, reminiscent of a powdered jelly-filled donut with raspberry tones. As it develops, darker, leather-like notes and a slight medicinal bite appear, complemented by oak. While not the star of the pour, the finish remains enjoyable for those who appreciate bold flavors.
Stagg (formerly Stagg Jr) 23B lives up to its heritage as a robust, powerhouse bourbon. Fans of sweet, dark fruit profiles will find this bottle irresistible, offering candied cherries, raspberry, and chocolate layered with complexity. At an MSRP of $65-70, this Bourbon (commonly referred to as George Stagg Jr.) offers exceptional value, though its secondary market price often exceeds $200.
When comparing Stagg vs. Stagg Jr batches, 23B stands out as a showcase of bold flavors and refined balance. Whether purchased at retail or on if you’re lucky, on sale, this bourbon is a must-try for seasoned bourbon enthusiasts.
Read the individual reviews by the bourbon bro’s below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 8.5/10
Value: at MSRP - 5/5
at secondary - 3/5
THE NOSE:
The nose immediately reminded me of opening a fruit roll-up.
While it is sweet and did remind me of the sugar candy, it also has a bit more depth than that one note.
It’s a bit darker and also has a rich crème brûlée profile.
THE TASTE:
It’s sweet and dark and reminds me of a brandied maraschino cherry.
It’s almost like a perfectly balanced old-fashioned with a bit of the orange flavor dialed back.
Towards the end, I do get a bit of a grape jelly sweetness that I really enjoy, along with a bit of the savoriness of pie crust.
THE FINISH:
The finish leaves me with a powdered jelly-filled donut flavor almost raspberry.
It sits in the mouth and you can chew on the finish.
It does start to develop almost a leather-like profile after a few sips.
BUY OR PASS?
I think anyone who likes sweet dark fruit profiles is going to love this. It’s candied cherries, grape jelly, raspberry, and sweet fig.
If I were sipping this blind I probably would have guessed that it was our Huling Station pick that we really love.
The Hunter Says
Score: 8/10
Value: at MSRP - 5/5
at secondary - 3/5
THE NOSE:
This pour hits you with rich, dark red fruits, like cherry or raspberry pie, alongside chocolate notes—think Tootsie Roll—and caramel.
There’s a layer of cinnamon graham crackers before circling back to fruity notes of orange, blueberry, or even banana.
It also has a hint of baklava, with that sweet, flaky crust vibe rounding it out.
THE TASTE:
The cherry and raspberry sweetness carries over beautifully, with the 127.8 proof adding a heavy but flavorful punch.
It amplifies the flavors without being overly harsh, though at this proof, subtle notes might get lost if you’re not paying close attention.
Overall, the flavors shine through with a satisfying richness.
THE FINISH:
The finish is where some sharp edges show up.
Sweetness and fruitiness linger but give way to oak and a slight medicinal bite.
It’s still enjoyable but is far from the highlight of the pour.
BUY OR PASS?
Stagg (formerly Stagg Jr) lives up to its reputation as a powerhouse bourbon. With an MSRP of $65-70 but a secondary market price north of $200, this bottle delivers bold flavors and a warm proof hug without being overwhelming.
It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who can handle the heat, it’s a fantastic journey worth the pour!
