{"product_id":"george-t-stagg-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey-2020","title":"George T. Stagg Bourbon Whiskey 2020 130.4 Proof","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e130.4 proof. 15 years and 4 months. Barrels filled spring 2005, drawn from Warehouses L, K, and Q. The 2020 George T. Stagg — the highest-proof release in the recent BTAC lineup.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eGeorge T. Stagg is the anchor of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection — the 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, bottled directly from barrels selected for their peak flavor development. Each vintage reflects the specific conditions of that year's aging.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe 2020 arrived at 130.4 proof — among the highest of any recent BTAC vintage — with a 59% evaporation rate indicating extreme concentration. Barrels were filled in spring 2005 and drawn from three warehouses (L, K, and Q), reflecting deliberate cross-warehouse selection to achieve the target flavor profile. At this proof and evaporation level, the 2020 represents an exceptionally concentrated expression of what Stagg can achieve.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep, rich mahogany amber with exceptional viscosity from the concentrated unfiltered bottling.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate, and molasses — the proof is evident but the complexity runs deep.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Enormous and layered — dark fruit, toffee, tobacco, espresso, and a warm oak spice that builds continuously.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very long and warming — dark fruit, barrel char, and spice fading slowly into a clean, deeply satisfying close.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistilled:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring 2005\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 years, 4 months\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eProof:\u003c\/strong\u003e 130.4 (65.2% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWarehouses:\u003c\/strong\u003e L, K, and Q\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEvaporation:\u003c\/strong\u003e 59%\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBottling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uncut, unfiltered\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eCompare vintages in the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/george-t-stagg\"\u003eGeorge T. Stagg collection\u003c\/a\u003e or browse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/bourbon\"\u003ebourbon at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow does the 2020 Stagg compare to the 2018 and 2019 vintages?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 2018 arrived at 124.9 proof; the 2019 at 128.2; the 2020 at 130.4 — making the 2020 the highest-proof of the three. The 59% evaporation rate also indicates exceptional concentration. Each vintage reflects different barrel selection and aging conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat does a 59% evaporation rate mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e Over 15+ years in the barrel, 59% of the original liquid evaporated as the \"angel's share.\" What remains is dramatically more concentrated in flavor, color, and proof than younger or lower-evaporation bourbons. This is part of what gives aged Stagg its extraordinary intensity.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy are barrels drawn from three different warehouses?\u003c\/strong\u003e Different warehouse positions and buildings produce different flavor developments in the same spirit. Buffalo Trace draws from multiple warehouses to achieve a target flavor profile — the blend of L, K, and Q reflects the specific balance the team was pursuing for the 2020 vintage.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow should I approach George T. Stagg at 130.4 proof?\u003c\/strong\u003e Start neat with at least 5 minutes rest in the glass before nosing. Add a few drops of still water to open the aroma and reduce the heat without suppressing the flavor. At this proof, water is not a compromise — it is the recommended approach for accessing the full complexity.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does the 2020 Stagg compare to the 2018 and 2019 vintages?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 2018 arrived at 124.9 proof; the 2019 at 128.2; the 2020 at 130.4 \\u2014 making the 2020 the highest-proof of the three recent vintages.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What does a 59% evaporation rate mean?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"59% of the original liquid evaporated over 15+ years as the angel's share. What remains is dramatically more concentrated in flavor, color, and proof.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Why are barrels drawn from three different warehouses?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Different warehouse positions produce different flavor developments. Buffalo Trace draws from multiple warehouses to achieve a target flavor profile for each vintage.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How should I approach George T. Stagg at 130.4 proof?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Start neat with at least 5 minutes rest before nosing. Add a few drops of still water to open the aroma. At this proof, water is the recommended approach for accessing the full complexity.\" } }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"George T. Stagg","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42900579778631,"sku":"20-00088004027841","price":1189.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/Buy-George-T.-Stagg-2020-Release-Online_b42dea0b-0563-4abb-b4d1-0ec8941fe313.jpg?v=1782423735","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/george-t-stagg-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey-2020","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}