Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Stagg (formerly labeled Stagg Jr.) is Buffalo Trace's uncut, unfiltered, barrel-proof bourbon, bottled from a selection of barrels without any water added to bring the proof down. It's released roughly twice a year, and the proof shifts slightly with each release depending on the barrels used, which is part of why collectors track batch numbers.

No, and this is the most common mix-up with the name. George T. Stagg (the Antique Collection release) is aged 15+ years, released once a year in the fall, and effectively impossible to find at retail. Stagg — the bottle sold here — shares the name and the barrel-proof philosophy but is younger, released more often, and priced for regular shelf access rather than a once-a-year lottery.

It varies by batch since nothing is diluted to hit a target number, but Stagg typically lands in the 130–140 proof range. Always check the label on the specific bottle you receive, since batch-to-batch proof is one of the things that changes release to release.

Start with a small amount of water. At 130+ proof, a few drops open up the aroma and bring the alcohol heat down without diluting the flavor the way a full pour of water or a big ice cube would. Most drinkers find their preferred dilution somewhere between a splash and a full teaspoon per ounce.

Yes — Stagg is one of the eight bottles in our current Halloween Drop lineup, alongside Blanton's, Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, Michter's and two Weller bottlings, all from the same allocated cycle.

If you want the barrel-proof intensity without waiting on Stagg's next batch, look at Weller Full Proof Straight Bourbon, also bottled at barrel-entry strength and part of the same allocated category. For something gentler at a similar shelf tier, Eagle Rare 10 Year shares Buffalo Trace's mash bill at standard 90 proof.