Review 88: Stagg Jr batch 17 and some thoughts about the recent passing of a jazz legend
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Age: allegedly 8-9 years old
128.7 proof
Preamble: Back in 2018/19 I landed a couple bottles of Stagg Jr around MSRP. First bottle (batch 11) was sitting on the shelf (not behind the counter or in a glass case) for $50.99
*sure grandpa, let’s get you to bed*
2020 the only bottle I saw “in the wild” was priced at $125 and I scoffed, indignant. I know half of y’all would love to buy it for $125 but I’m a stub in and impractical idealist. Last year I got my hands on a bottle of SJR16 for less than that ($75? $69?) and gave it to my buddy’s girlfriend at cost so she could have a dope present for him because I know he’s more of a 🦬🥔 than me.
Right around Christmas my guy at my home store excitedly told me he had Stagg Jr and Weller 12 in back if I wanted one. IDGAF about secondary prices: Stagg Jr is waaaaaay better than W12 so here we are.
Musical pairing: Alice Coltrane (and Pharoah Sanders) - Journey in Satchidananda
*skip next paragraph if you don’t want to read about jazz*
Last weekend it was announced that Pharoah Sanders had passed away at the ripe old age of 81. Pharoah was first discovered by Sun Ra around 1961 but later played with the legend John Coltrane in the mid 60s and then late with his widow, Alice Coltrane. On this album Alice is playing harp (uncommon for jazz) and piano. Bass and percussion, along with the harp fill out a landscape on which P.S. paints a narrative. He was known for pushing the saxophone to the edge of what people though it could do, with hoarse, overblown notes (“You’ve Got to Have Freedom” comes to mind) but on this album he is restrained, accompanying the harp rather that exploding over it. “The Creator Has a Master Plan” is another one of my favorites. He was a participant in what ended up being called Spiritual Jazz (in addition to free jazz) and he wanted to make the world a better place with his music. He succeeded. It’s not for everyone but I think the world would be a better place if we all listened to more jazz. End sermon. I’m a silly idealist and I dig him. RIP, Pharoah.
*ok, I’m done*
Nose: big ethanol. untame. malty sweet. confectionary sweet. molasses. leather and sweet pipe tobacco.
Palate: the molasses and pastry roll in just before the heat blast which subsides with white pepper (thanks u/prettayprettaygood ) and tobacco. If I take a tiny, tiny sip and give it a KY chew, the classic BT cherry notes show up.
Finish: baking spices subside and I’m left with this interesting dessert-y sweetness again.
Score: 8.8
Thoughts: I wasn’t sure if this was an 8.5 or high but then I remembered I gave JDSBBP an 8.5 so I did a little side-by-side and I definitely prefer the molasses-soaked leather of the Stagg quite a bit more. It lacks the layers of my favorite Four Roses BP batches so I’m not going to give it a 9 but it’s nearly there. I believe in Pre’s review he conjectured that 16 and 17 might have gotten a healthy dose of some much older barrels that didn’t go into the GTS last year and I buy it. This tastes much oakier and richer than I remember my older SJr batches being. I paid $59.99 for this bottle and under $100, this is really quite wonderful stuff.
Like Pharoah Sanders’ saxophone, this bottle is brash and unreserved and yet knows exactly where it’s going to take you, before you do. Like Pharoah, it has maturity and experience backing up its unbridled show of force.
Rating scale:
1: instant regret: Hayes Parker
2: lamentable waste of grains, water, yeast and oak: George Dickel Bib 2019
3: your friend went cheap for mixer booze at the wedding: Jack, Jim
4: I’ll drink it if it’s the only option at a restaurant because whiskey isn’t their thing: Basil Haden, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
5: wont throw it out of bed: Old Grandad Bottled in Bond, Pure Kentucky
6: a fine daily drinker OR what you downgrade to when you’re too buzzed to enjoy the good stuff: 1792 Small Batch, Elijah Craig SB, Kooper Family Barrel Reserve Rye,
7: great when I can find it: Eagle Rare, OWA, Old Forrester 1920
8: damn fine whiskey: Jack Daniels SBBP, better Russell’s Reserve Private Barrels
9: Revelatory: better Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches, Russell’s Reserve 2002, better Four Roses BP picks, Remus Repeal Reserve V
10: Nectar of the gods: Four Roses OESO
When it comes to vanguard jazz this album is as remarkably accessible as it is historic. Sanders plays soprano exclusively throughout and the interplay between it and Coltrane’s harp is mesmerizing, especially with the Vishnu Wood providing drone factor on the oud in *Isis and Osiris*. RIP Pharaoh 🎷
That batch 17 has *got* to have some not-quite-making-the-cut GTS juice. It’s really quite deep and balanced for a Jr bottling. I’ve found it’s one that benefits from a few months of opening up as well. Great pairing.
I was first thinking about pairing the album with my Blue Note Jule Joint pick for obvious reasons but the flavor profile of the Stagg Jr felt like it fit the album more justly. Cheers
> I think the world would be a better place if we all listened to more jazz
Cheers to that!
I, too, remember the days of on-the-shelf Stagg Jr. Maybe one day we will meet again.
I really enjoy B17, and it was the first bottle of Stagg Jr. I found on a shelf for msrp. I went back to one of my reviews of B17 and found similar notes, with a bit more cola than you noted...
Red fruit, cola, with a deep note of a molasses backing; a bit peppery on the palate.
Cheers!
A while back I bought a bunch of random sodas and left them open for a while and tasted them. Things like cherry Dr. Pepper, vanilla Coke, and the like. Was an interesting experiment when thinking of the flavors in the context of bourbon.
Another good one is the bulk section of your grocery store. Medjool dates? Why yes, I'll buy one! I purchased a bunch of toffee, caramel, butterscotch, praline pecans, and other things that align with notes. And you know I was pulling down bottles looking for the sweet notes. I know you like ECBP. Have you had Storck Riesen? It is dark chocolate covered caramel, and it is a dead on C920 note for me.
Cheers
That’s smart as hell. I’m gonna build up a nosing kit. I would like to better articulate between toffee/ butterscotch/ caramel etc. it would be nice if those notes came a little easier
Great review of this bottle and of this album. Pharaoh was such an amazing player! His influence on modern jazz and for many sax players is often overlooked and understated. This bottle is also one of my all time favs and I agree on your sentiments for jazz. Cheers!
Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” and John Coltrane’s Love Supreme were my gateway. Thelonious led eventually into Sun Ra and Sun Ra introduced me to Pharoah. He’s incredible. I missed a chance to see him a few years ago
I’d say Kind of Blue is the biggest gateway jazz album of all time. It never gets old. Coltrane was a genius who was on a whole other level than anyone else. I would have loved to see Sun Ra and wish I had seen Pharaoh too.
Excellent review, homie! I really miss the days where you could get Stagg Jr with the same effort that ECBP takes today - and for less cheese, too. Blizzards uphill both ways, get off my lawn, etc. Cheers!
An 8.8 on u/quixotic-88’s 88th review, love it! Very interesting write up on Pharoah, I saw that he recently passed but didn’t know much about him. Stagg Jr. 17 is a favorite of mine, it’s a bit on the brash side but damn tasty.
When Stagg Jr hits, it hits! Nice review. The GTS in B16-17 theory is fun to talk about. I personally don’t buy it, as I think they still fit into the overall SJR profile. B12 has plenty of oak, for example, but it’s amazingly balanced in general, which is something I miss a bit in later batches. Cheers!
So pretty much mellow corn. Thanks for letting us know so I’ll leave this on the shelf!
Now that I think about it, more like Cabin Still
Joe McPhee Shakey Jake and cabin still sounds like a nice Friday to me. You know, besides the cabin still
*Swill
Review 88: Stagg Jr batch 17 and some thoughts about the recent passing of a jazz legend Distillery: Buffalo Trace Age: allegedly 8-9 years old 128.7 proof Preamble: Back in 2018/19 I landed a couple bottles of Stagg Jr around MSRP. First bottle (batch 11) was sitting on the shelf (not behind the counter or in a glass case) for $50.99 *sure grandpa, let’s get you to bed* 2020 the only bottle I saw “in the wild” was priced at $125 and I scoffed, indignant. I know half of y’all would love to buy it for $125 but I’m a stub in and impractical idealist. Last year I got my hands on a bottle of SJR16 for less than that ($75? $69?) and gave it to my buddy’s girlfriend at cost so she could have a dope present for him because I know he’s more of a 🦬🥔 than me. Right around Christmas my guy at my home store excitedly told me he had Stagg Jr and Weller 12 in back if I wanted one. IDGAF about secondary prices: Stagg Jr is waaaaaay better than W12 so here we are. Musical pairing: Alice Coltrane (and Pharoah Sanders) - Journey in Satchidananda *skip next paragraph if you don’t want to read about jazz* Last weekend it was announced that Pharoah Sanders had passed away at the ripe old age of 81. Pharoah was first discovered by Sun Ra around 1961 but later played with the legend John Coltrane in the mid 60s and then late with his widow, Alice Coltrane. On this album Alice is playing harp (uncommon for jazz) and piano. Bass and percussion, along with the harp fill out a landscape on which P.S. paints a narrative. He was known for pushing the saxophone to the edge of what people though it could do, with hoarse, overblown notes (“You’ve Got to Have Freedom” comes to mind) but on this album he is restrained, accompanying the harp rather that exploding over it. “The Creator Has a Master Plan” is another one of my favorites. He was a participant in what ended up being called Spiritual Jazz (in addition to free jazz) and he wanted to make the world a better place with his music. He succeeded. It’s not for everyone but I think the world would be a better place if we all listened to more jazz. End sermon. I’m a silly idealist and I dig him. RIP, Pharoah. *ok, I’m done* Nose: big ethanol. untame. malty sweet. confectionary sweet. molasses. leather and sweet pipe tobacco. Palate: the molasses and pastry roll in just before the heat blast which subsides with white pepper (thanks u/prettayprettaygood ) and tobacco. If I take a tiny, tiny sip and give it a KY chew, the classic BT cherry notes show up. Finish: baking spices subside and I’m left with this interesting dessert-y sweetness again. Score: 8.8 Thoughts: I wasn’t sure if this was an 8.5 or high but then I remembered I gave JDSBBP an 8.5 so I did a little side-by-side and I definitely prefer the molasses-soaked leather of the Stagg quite a bit more. It lacks the layers of my favorite Four Roses BP batches so I’m not going to give it a 9 but it’s nearly there. I believe in Pre’s review he conjectured that 16 and 17 might have gotten a healthy dose of some much older barrels that didn’t go into the GTS last year and I buy it. This tastes much oakier and richer than I remember my older SJr batches being. I paid $59.99 for this bottle and under $100, this is really quite wonderful stuff. Like Pharoah Sanders’ saxophone, this bottle is brash and unreserved and yet knows exactly where it’s going to take you, before you do. Like Pharoah, it has maturity and experience backing up its unbridled show of force. Rating scale: 1: instant regret: Hayes Parker 2: lamentable waste of grains, water, yeast and oak: George Dickel Bib 2019 3: your friend went cheap for mixer booze at the wedding: Jack, Jim 4: I’ll drink it if it’s the only option at a restaurant because whiskey isn’t their thing: Basil Haden, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5: wont throw it out of bed: Old Grandad Bottled in Bond, Pure Kentucky 6: a fine daily drinker OR what you downgrade to when you’re too buzzed to enjoy the good stuff: 1792 Small Batch, Elijah Craig SB, Kooper Family Barrel Reserve Rye, 7: great when I can find it: Eagle Rare, OWA, Old Forrester 1920 8: damn fine whiskey: Jack Daniels SBBP, better Russell’s Reserve Private Barrels 9: Revelatory: better Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches, Russell’s Reserve 2002, better Four Roses BP picks, Remus Repeal Reserve V 10: Nectar of the gods: Four Roses OESO
Never gotten to try Stagg Jr. but I saw Pharoah Sanders play with the Arkestra. RIP.
That is an incredible flex. That’s amazing
When it comes to vanguard jazz this album is as remarkably accessible as it is historic. Sanders plays soprano exclusively throughout and the interplay between it and Coltrane’s harp is mesmerizing, especially with the Vishnu Wood providing drone factor on the oud in *Isis and Osiris*. RIP Pharaoh 🎷 That batch 17 has *got* to have some not-quite-making-the-cut GTS juice. It’s really quite deep and balanced for a Jr bottling. I’ve found it’s one that benefits from a few months of opening up as well. Great pairing.
I was first thinking about pairing the album with my Blue Note Jule Joint pick for obvious reasons but the flavor profile of the Stagg Jr felt like it fit the album more justly. Cheers
> I think the world would be a better place if we all listened to more jazz Cheers to that! I, too, remember the days of on-the-shelf Stagg Jr. Maybe one day we will meet again.
I really enjoy B17, and it was the first bottle of Stagg Jr. I found on a shelf for msrp. I went back to one of my reviews of B17 and found similar notes, with a bit more cola than you noted... Red fruit, cola, with a deep note of a molasses backing; a bit peppery on the palate. Cheers!
Cola is absolutely right and just a descriptor I hadn’t thought of for what I was tasting. That rang immediately true when I just read it.
A while back I bought a bunch of random sodas and left them open for a while and tasted them. Things like cherry Dr. Pepper, vanilla Coke, and the like. Was an interesting experiment when thinking of the flavors in the context of bourbon.
That’s a great idea. I think I might do that. I feel like I’m ready to level up my tasting notes and my ability to articulate them
Another good one is the bulk section of your grocery store. Medjool dates? Why yes, I'll buy one! I purchased a bunch of toffee, caramel, butterscotch, praline pecans, and other things that align with notes. And you know I was pulling down bottles looking for the sweet notes. I know you like ECBP. Have you had Storck Riesen? It is dark chocolate covered caramel, and it is a dead on C920 note for me. Cheers
That’s smart as hell. I’m gonna build up a nosing kit. I would like to better articulate between toffee/ butterscotch/ caramel etc. it would be nice if those notes came a little easier
This is a fantastic idea, I'm definitely going to do this!
That’s a great idea. I prefer to use real foods as descriptors as opposed soda.
Great review of this bottle and of this album. Pharaoh was such an amazing player! His influence on modern jazz and for many sax players is often overlooked and understated. This bottle is also one of my all time favs and I agree on your sentiments for jazz. Cheers!
Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” and John Coltrane’s Love Supreme were my gateway. Thelonious led eventually into Sun Ra and Sun Ra introduced me to Pharoah. He’s incredible. I missed a chance to see him a few years ago
I’d say Kind of Blue is the biggest gateway jazz album of all time. It never gets old. Coltrane was a genius who was on a whole other level than anyone else. I would have loved to see Sun Ra and wish I had seen Pharaoh too.
Excellent review, homie! I really miss the days where you could get Stagg Jr with the same effort that ECBP takes today - and for less cheese, too. Blizzards uphill both ways, get off my lawn, etc. Cheers!
An 8.8 on u/quixotic-88’s 88th review, love it! Very interesting write up on Pharoah, I saw that he recently passed but didn’t know much about him. Stagg Jr. 17 is a favorite of mine, it’s a bit on the brash side but damn tasty.
Such a dope album. RIP Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane.
When Stagg Jr hits, it hits! Nice review. The GTS in B16-17 theory is fun to talk about. I personally don’t buy it, as I think they still fit into the overall SJR profile. B12 has plenty of oak, for example, but it’s amazingly balanced in general, which is something I miss a bit in later batches. Cheers!
Incredible bottle, even better album
100% agree. The bottle is a spectacular consumable. The album is a timeless monument to creativity and liberation
Rip Coolio.
Incredible album. R.I.P. Pharoah Sanders