The Story
128.7 proof. Uncut. Unfiltered. The 2017 George T. Stagg — rated 96.5 by Jim Murray and 5 Stars by F. Paul Pacult. One of the most acclaimed releases in the history of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.
George T. Stagg is the anchor of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection — the highest-proof, most powerful expression in the annual fall release. Where the other four BTAC releases demonstrate restraint and nuance, Stagg is intentionally massive: cask strength, unfiltered, aged a minimum of 15 years in new charred American oak, bottled directly from barrels selected for their peak flavor development. Each vintage reflects the specific conditions of that year's aging — proof, flavor, and character all vary meaningfully from release to release.
The 2017 arrived at 128.7 proof, earning a 96.5 from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible — "one of the whiskeys of the year, easily" — and a 5-star Highest Recommendation from F. Paul Pacult: "Amazing, yet again." The 2017 is defined by a lush toffee sweetness as its base, with dark chocolate, dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint, and coffee building on top. It is an extraordinarily complex bourbon that rewards both neat sipping and careful dilution.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep, rich amber with exceptional viscosity — the legs on the glass tell the story before the first sip.
- Aroma: Lush toffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, fudge, nougat, and molasses. The proof is evident but not harsh.
- Palate: Enormous and layered — caramel and dark chocolate up front, followed by dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint, and a deep coffee note. The complexity unfolds slowly and keeps evolving.
- Finish: Very long — dark fruit, oak tannins, and a warm spice that fades gradually into a clean, deeply satisfying close.
Critical Acclaim — 2017 Vintage
- Jim Murray's Whisky Bible: 96.5 — "One of the whiskeys of the year, easily."
- F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal: 5 Stars / Highest Recommendation — "Amazing, yet again."
Specs
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
- Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Age: Minimum 15 years
- Proof: 128.7 (64.35% ABV)
- Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
- Size: 750ml
- Release: 2017 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Compare vintages in the George T. Stagg collection or explore the full bourbon selection at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the 2017 George T. Stagg differ from the 2018 and 2019 vintages? Each BTAC vintage reflects different distillation years, warehouse positions, and barrel selections. The 2017 arrived at 128.7 proof; the 2018 came in at 124.9 and the 2019 at 128.2. Proof, tasting notes, and character differ meaningfully between years — serious collectors often acquire multiple vintages to compare the range.
- How should I approach George T. Stagg at 128.7 proof? Start neat — let it breathe for several minutes in the glass before nosing. Add a few drops of still water to unlock the fruit and chocolate notes without diluting the proof too aggressively. Avoid ice, which contracts the flavors. A small amount of water is the classic approach for cask-strength bourbons at this level.
- Why is the BTAC so hard to find at retail? The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is produced in limited quantities, allocated to retailers once per year in the fall, and sells out immediately. Buffalo Trace has not been able to meaningfully increase production of the aged components required for the BTAC — Stagg requires a minimum of 15 years, meaning every bottle available today was committed to a barrel before 2010.
- Is George T. Stagg the same distillery as Buffalo Trace? Yes. Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky was previously known as the George T. Stagg Distillery, named after the legendary 19th-century whiskey entrepreneur who built it into one of the most dominant American distilleries of its era. The bourbon bearing his name is a tribute to that legacy — the most powerful expression the distillery produces.
Description
128.7 proof. Uncut. Unfiltered. The 2017 George T. Stagg — rated 96.5 by Jim Murray and 5 Stars by F. Paul Pacult. One of the most acclaimed releases in the history of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.
George T. Stagg is the anchor of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection — the highest-proof, most powerful expression in the annual fall release. Where the other four BTAC releases demonstrate restraint and nuance, Stagg is intentionally massive: cask strength, unfiltered, aged a minimum of 15 years in new charred American oak, bottled directly from barrels selected for their peak flavor development. Each vintage reflects the specific conditions of that year's aging — proof, flavor, and character all vary meaningfully from release to release.
The 2017 arrived at 128.7 proof, earning a 96.5 from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible — "one of the whiskeys of the year, easily" — and a 5-star Highest Recommendation from F. Paul Pacult: "Amazing, yet again." The 2017 is defined by a lush toffee sweetness as its base, with dark chocolate, dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint, and coffee building on top. It is an extraordinarily complex bourbon that rewards both neat sipping and careful dilution.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep, rich amber with exceptional viscosity — the legs on the glass tell the story before the first sip.
- Aroma: Lush toffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, fudge, nougat, and molasses. The proof is evident but not harsh.
- Palate: Enormous and layered — caramel and dark chocolate up front, followed by dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint, and a deep coffee note. The complexity unfolds slowly and keeps evolving.
- Finish: Very long — dark fruit, oak tannins, and a warm spice that fades gradually into a clean, deeply satisfying close.
Critical Acclaim — 2017 Vintage
- Jim Murray's Whisky Bible: 96.5 — "One of the whiskeys of the year, easily."
- F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal: 5 Stars / Highest Recommendation — "Amazing, yet again."
Specs
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
- Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Age: Minimum 15 years
- Proof: 128.7 (64.35% ABV)
- Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
- Size: 750ml
- Release: 2017 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Compare vintages in the George T. Stagg collection or explore the full bourbon selection at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the 2017 George T. Stagg differ from the 2018 and 2019 vintages? Each BTAC vintage reflects different distillation years, warehouse positions, and barrel selections. The 2017 arrived at 128.7 proof; the 2018 came in at 124.9 and the 2019 at 128.2. Proof, tasting notes, and character differ meaningfully between years — serious collectors often acquire multiple vintages to compare the range.
- How should I approach George T. Stagg at 128.7 proof? Start neat — let it breathe for several minutes in the glass before nosing. Add a few drops of still water to unlock the fruit and chocolate notes without diluting the proof too aggressively. Avoid ice, which contracts the flavors. A small amount of water is the classic approach for cask-strength bourbons at this level.
- Why is the BTAC so hard to find at retail? The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is produced in limited quantities, allocated to retailers once per year in the fall, and sells out immediately. Buffalo Trace has not been able to meaningfully increase production of the aged components required for the BTAC — Stagg requires a minimum of 15 years, meaning every bottle available today was committed to a barrel before 2010.
- Is George T. Stagg the same distillery as Buffalo Trace? Yes. Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky was previously known as the George T. Stagg Distillery, named after the legendary 19th-century whiskey entrepreneur who built it into one of the most dominant American distilleries of its era. The bourbon bearing his name is a tribute to that legacy — the most powerful expression the distillery produces.
