Review #697 - Stagg Batch 24D
The Stagg series from Buffalo Trace dropped the "Jr" from the name a few years ago, and the batches are now labeled according to the year they are released - for instance, here we have Batch 24D, or the 4th batch released in 2024. Despite these minor branding updates, the bourbon in the bottle supposedly hasn't been changed.
Stagg is made using Buffalo Trace's low-rye mashbill, or mashbill #1; the official grain proportions are a closely held secret, but most sources agree that this low-rye mashbill from the distillery contains 10% or less rye. That should (in theory) lead to a sweeter bourbon with a high corn content; however, Stagg is known for its potent oak influence as well, which should add balance through some drying notes. We don't get age statements on these Stagg batches, but they're thought to be in the 7 year old to 9 year old range in general.
After aging, this is bottled at barrel proof without filtration, so flavor should be in no short supply. Pricing from the distillery is also very fair at about $65, but you have to be lucky to find a bottle for that price; on the secondary or auction markets, these float a bit closer to $150 for the average batch.
Stagg Batch 24D
USA - Bourbon
MSRP: USD 65 (2024)
Available Price: USD 150 (2025, based on recent auction results)
Age Statement: NAS
Strength: 63.7% ABV
Details: Not chill filtered; batch 24D (also known as batch 27), bottled 2024
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 2 months from a sample. Tasted in a nosing glass each time, rested 15+ minutes
Nose: Sweet blackberry jam and syrupy cherries are balanced by rich oak with accents of leather. It's mostly sweet, though: caramel, vanilla, prune, and Concord grape jelly build, and we get molasses and raisin as well. Time brings lighter red fruits: orange, strawberry at times.
Palate: Hot and spicy with barbecued oak, wood smoke, and cinnamon. Juicy purple fruits like grape and sweet blackberry appear behind that, and we get some savory leather notes. Molasses, vanilla, and brown sugar add baking notes; raisin and cherry build in intensity at the end. The mouthfeel is thick - tons of heft here.
Finish: Tons of fruit, with grape, blood orange, and cherry taking center stage. Chocolatey notes mingle with the oak now, and we get more leather and some vanilla. The cherry notes take on almost a medicinal cough syrup flavor; then later, it turns more toward Black Forest Gateau. Both sweet and spicy, and this is a long finish.
Final Note: This is absolutely packed with flavor, there's no doubt about that. While most Buffalo Trace bourbons have some sort of red fruit element to their flavor profile, this one was completely full of cherry, blackberry, and grape notes. We tried this next to Blanton's Straight From the Barrel a couple of times, and while there were similarities between the two, this Stagg edged out the win due to its better texture, longer finish, and a bit more depth in the palate flavors. This is a great bottle of bourbon.
If you can get Stagg as the suggested retail price, value is excellent - we think there aren't many (or any?) bourbons that can beat this for $65. Even at the higher secondary prices, there's still some value here; overall, we think Stagg punches a bit above its price in the current bourbon market.
Our Average Rating: 8.0 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating (MSRP): 7.96
Value Rating (Available Price): 6.02
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
