Introduction
Today, we’re diving into one of the most highly anticipated whiskeys from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC): George T. Stagg. This bourbon is known for its bold, high-proof offerings and has won “Best Bourbon in the World” accolades in several spirits competitions. For our review, we’re sampling the 2023 release, which comes in at a massive 135 proof and is aged for 15 years and 3 months. The mash bill is undisclosed, but we know it’s a classic Buffalo Trace high-rye bourbon.
Priced at $125 MSRP (if you’re lucky enough to find it), this bourbon often skyrockets on the secondary market, sometimes reaching $900 or more. But does it live up to the hype? We’re here to find out as we break down the nose, taste, finish, balance, and value.
This review is taken from our episode "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse / George T. Stagg Bourbon." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: This nose hits you with some serious depth. Right off the bat, I’m getting anise, molasses, and honey, with some craisins and brown sugar in there. It’s rich and bold without being dominated by the oak, which is impressive for a 15-year-old bourbon. As I let it sit, I started picking up some vanilla and leather as well. It’s incredibly layered, and I really enjoyed spending time with this one. I’m giving it a 9/10.
Bob: Yeah, the complexity here is undeniable. My first impression was all about dusty oak—like sawdust in a woodshop, which is a note I love. There’s also a lot of honey, which balances out that oakiness. But then it starts to shift. I got this really interesting floral note, almost like something you’d find in Amburana-finished whiskey, which is rare in bourbon. And like Brad said, as it sat in the glass, the ethanol became more prominent, so you have to let it breathe a bit. Still, I loved the cinnamon and slight meatiness toward the end. It’s a really complex nose. I’m at 8.5/10 because the ethanol held it back a bit for me.
Taste
Brad: The first thing that stood out for me was the viscosity—this whiskey coats your mouth in a way few others do. It's rich, full-bodied, and really sticks around. In terms of flavor, there’s a nutmeg and clove spice that reminds me of freshly baked bread, followed by layers of caramel, brown sugar, and honey. The fruity notes evolve from craisins into more of a raisin flavor, which is really nice. I also picked up a slight nuttiness, almost like cashew, which added a bit of creaminess to the whole experience. This is a whiskey that rewards you sip after sip, with new flavors emerging each time. Honestly, I think this is what bourbon is supposed to taste like at its peak. I’m going with a full 10/10 here.
Bob: Wow, we’re in very different places on this one. For me, the mouthfeel was thinner than I expected. It coats your mouth, but mostly because of the high alcohol content—it didn’t feel syrupy or thick to me at all. That said, the flavor profile is still really interesting. The first thing I noticed was a tart fruitiness, almost like sour cherries or freshly bitten raisins, which is something I never get from bourbon. It had this bright, almost sour note at the front of my palate, which was unexpected but refreshing. From there, it turned into a cherry bomb, with a lot of dark fruit and black pepper spice. The oak definitely comes through strong toward the end, and that’s where it lost me a bit. I like the complexity, but it’s not my favorite flavor profile. I’m giving it 8.5/10.
Finish
Brad: The finish is where this whiskey really shines for me. After that big, bold palate, the finish leans more into the vanilla bean and oak char territory, but it keeps those baking spices around too. There’s even a hint of rye spice that kicks in, along with some really nice leather notes. The finish is long-lasting but smooth, and I found myself savoring it for minutes after each sip. It’s rare to get this kind of staying power without it becoming overly bitter or harsh. I’m giving the finish a 9.5/10.
Bob: I have to agree with you here. The finish is definitely one of the strongest aspects of this bourbon. Despite some of the bitterness from the oak on the palate, the finish really mellows things out. It’s long—probably one of the longest finishes I’ve ever experienced in a bourbon. And after that bitter oak fades, you’re left with some sweet notes of cherry and vanilla, along with a lingering baking spice kick. I also appreciated the slight leather note, which gave it a bit of maturity. I’m also at a 9.5/10.
Balance
Brad: I think the balance here is where Buffalo Trace really nailed it. We’re talking about a 15-year-old, 135-proof bourbon, and yet it doesn’t feel like it’s been over-oaked or overpowered by the alcohol. The flavors are rich, layered, and evolve beautifully from start to finish. It’s so rare to find a bourbon of this age with this kind of balance. For me, it’s a 9.5/10.
Bob: I’m a little cooler on the balance, mainly because I felt like the oak bitterness tipped the scale too far in that direction. It started strong with those bright fruity notes but then got weighed down by the oak toward the end of the palate. Still, it’s an incredibly well-made whiskey, and everything works together pretty seamlessly. I just wish the oak hadn’t dominated as much as it did for me. I’m giving it an 8.5/10.
Value
Brad: Now, here’s where things get tricky. George T. Stagg has an MSRP of $125, but good luck finding it at that price. On the secondary market, we’ve seen it go for anywhere between $450 and $900. Even at $500, though, I think this bourbon delivers on what it promises. If you’re in the luxury whiskey market, this is one of the few bottles I’d say is worth the splurge. I’m giving it a 9/10 on value because, for a luxury bourbon, it’s absolutely top-tier.
Bob: I’m going to be the voice of reason here. There’s no way I’d pay $500 for this bottle, and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend anyone else do it either. Sure, it’s a great whiskey, but at that price point, you’re entering “yacht” territory. I think we need to keep the “boat people” in mind, too. Even acknowledging the luxury market, I’m giving it a 5/10. It’s good, but not $500 good for me.
Final Scores
Brad’s Final Score: 47/50
Bob’s Final Score: 40/50
Combined Score: 43.5/50
Conclusion
With a combined score of 43.5/50, George T. Stagg (2023) is a whiskey we would highly recommend—especially if you’re able to get a pour of it at a bar. It’s a beautifully complex, high-proof bourbon that showcases what a well-aged whiskey can be. That said, it’s firmly in the luxury category, and whether it’s worth the high secondary market price depends on your budget and desire to splurge.
At Film & Whiskey, we usually recommend trying a pour or buying a bottle when a whiskey scores above 35/50. This one far surpasses that, so if you ever get the chance to try George T. Stagg, don’t hesitate—it’s an experience worth having.
