George T. Stagg 2022 & A Smith Bowman Cask Strength Batch 2 Review
Note: this review was originally posted on r/bourbon in January 2023
Background
Last year, I reviewed the inaugural batch of A Smith Bowman Cask Strength and assessed it’s potential as a Stagg slayer/replacement for the missing ‘21 GTS.
Here we are again, one year later. George T Stagg is back on the market (at 138+ proof, no less) and Bowman Cask Strength has upped the ante on their first hazmat release with batch two clocking in at a jaw dropping 144.5 proof. GTS took the first round, so can this iteration of Bowman Cask Strength triumph over its high proof, Sazerac owned brethren?
George T Stagg (15 Years, 138.7 Proof)
Nose: Brown sugar, molasses, caramel.. Punchy but not overwhelming, an array of dark sugars.
Palate: Layered and complex, brown sugar, caramel, dark wood alongside a more subtle cherry note than 2020 GTS.
Finish: Wood forward, and there is an earthy note that kind of sticks out. Layers of vanilla soften the wood.
9.5/10
Overall: It’s a wonderful whiskey. I get an ever so slightly off note on the finish that throws me, but that’s picking nits honestly. It’s wood and dark sugar forward with a muted showing from that signature Buffalo Trace cherry note. Delicious. Glad to have you back, GTS.
A Smith Bowman Cask Strength - Batch 2 (10 Years, 144.5 Proof)
Nose: Honey, dates, dark cocoa, oak. For the proof, it’s a pretty approachable nose.
Palate: Plum, maple syrup/maple bars, milk chocolate, wildflower honey. Layers on layers of flavors.
Finish: Stays for. ev. er. Demerara sugar, prunes, toasted oak, robust barrel spices.
9.5/10
Overall: Well, we’re two releases in and it’s clear Bowman is onto something special. Wave after wave of flavors hit throughout this sip. After tasting batch two, I went back to my 1/3rd full, year open batch one… and it has just opened up beautifully. I cannot wait to see this release do the same.
Judge’s Card: I give it to Stagg on the nose- which is punchier and a bit more flavorful. Bowman takes the palate in an absolute slugfest and outlasts GTS on the finish. By a split decision, Bowman takes this round. Hopefully I’m fortunate enough to conduct a rubber match next year.
Last but not least, ranking scale and some examples:
1 | Disgusting: Town Branch Single Barrel Reserve
2 | Poor: Black Maple Hill Oregon Straight Bourbon Whiskey
3 | Bad: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
4 | Sub-par: Blue Run High Rye Bourbon
5 | Good: Four Roses Small Batch Select
6 | Very Good: E.H. Taylor Straight Rye
7 | Great: Wilderness Trail 8 Year BiB
8 | Excellent: Stagg Jr Batch 17
9 | Incredible: A Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch 1)
10 | Perfect: George T Stagg 2020
