George T. Stagg 138.7 proof 2022 Release

Palate: At first sip I find a classic powerhouse ultra-aged bourbon. Leather, rich cherry and cinnamon infused oak attack the taste buds without sending them into shock. The mouthfeel is a touch drying with fig syrup and nutmeg at odds. Venturing in for another sip reveals bright linen, sweet cranberry juice and creamy apple cider doughnut notes. Chewing further I find plenty of red berry compote, spice and heft. Cinnamon swings back in balanced alongside thick, jammy blackberry tones. As I dig near the bottom of the glass I find lovely, sweet effervescence has proliferated; strawberry, buttercream frosting and thick raspberry sauce all sit atop a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Time and patience has done this glass wonders. Yum. Gingersnaps and dark ice cream cone notes dance on the long finish. My last sip is bittersweet as the glass turned most delicious on my final sips, suggesting this one benefits from building a few sips in rather than swapping between things as one might do in a flight. Potent maraschino cherry and plum round out a nice dram that manages to not overdo it at this proof point. The finish lasts longer than anything I have had in recent memory.