Stagg Jr. Batch 17 is the Fall 2021 release of Buffalo Trace's barrel proof powerhouse, and it holds a special place in the series as the final batch to carry the Jr. name on its label. From Batch 18 onward the distillery dropped the suffix and rebranded the whiskey simply as Stagg, making this bottle the end of an era for collectors. The name honours George T. Stagg, who built the most dominant American distillery of the 19th century during the Gilded Age of bourbon, and the Jr. acknowledged that this whiskey ages eight years rather than the fifteen to nineteen years of its famous older sibling, George T. Stagg from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Built on Buffalo Trace's low rye Mash Bill #1 and rested in charred white oak, Batch 17 is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 128.7 proof, robust and unapologetically full strength. Nothing is added and nothing is taken away, so the proof shifts with every batch and the natural oils that give the line its weight stay in the bottle. It pours a deep mahogany. The nose is rich and inviting, with dark chocolate, brown sugar, dark cherry and toasted oak over warm baking spice. The palate is thick and mouthcoating, where rich, sweet chocolate and brown sugar flavours mingle in balance with bold rye spiciness, joined by molasses, leather and cinnamon. The finish is boundless and long, lingering with cherries, cloves and a wisp of smokiness. At this strength a few drops of water or a large ice cube will open up considerable sweetness, though experienced palates will find plenty to explore neat. Released in strictly limited quantities, Stagg Jr. rarely lingered on shelves, and Batch 17 has become increasingly hard to find since the Jr. designation disappeared.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
64.35% |
| Proof |
128.7 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel Proof |
| Batch |
17 (Fall 2021 release) |
| Distillery |
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Sazerac Company |
| Mashbill |
Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (low rye) |
| Age |
8 Years |
| Filtration |
Uncut and unfiltered |
| Bottling Code |
L21 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep mahogany.
Nose: Dark chocolate, brown sugar and dark cherry over toasted oak and warm baking spice.
Palate: Thick and mouthcoating, with rich sweet chocolate and brown sugar balanced by bold rye spice, molasses, leather and cinnamon.
Finish: Boundless and long, lingering with cherries, cloves and a hint of smokiness.
FAQ
What proof is Stagg Jr. Batch 17?
Batch 17 is bottled at 128.7 proof (64.35% ABV), uncut and unfiltered.
Why is Batch 17 significant?
It is the last batch to carry the Jr. name on the label. From Batch 18 onward, Buffalo Trace rebranded the whiskey simply as Stagg.
How can I tell Batch 17 from Batch 2?
Both were bottled at 128.7 proof. The laser code on the glass tells them apart: L21 indicates the 2021 bottling, which is Batch 17, while L14 would indicate Batch 2 from 2014.
How old is it?
Buffalo Trace states eight years in charred white oak.
How should I drink it?
Try it neat first, then add a few drops of water or a large ice cube to soften the strength and open up the sweetness.
Where can I buy Stagg Jr. Batch 17 online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping
