18 is a big deal in the world of growing up. You graduate high school (for the majority), can buy smokes, vote, join the military, can legally be kicked out of your parents home…lots of things happening. Buffalo Trace Distillery, makers of the highly sought after Stagg Jr., has decided to use this symbolic notion as they are permanently dropping the “Jr.” from the label name beginning with Batch 18. For reference, Batch 17 is approaching soon in the Fall.
The logic of the decision being that Jr. has grown from a boy into a man. The “Jr.” part always felt a little off according to Sazerac’s global bourbon brands manager Joshua Steely. Can hardly blame him, Jr. doesn’t quite match the full bodied big boy barrel strength proof DNA of Stagg Jr. “Jr.” was directed presumably at its age being in the 8 – 9 year range vs the 15 – 19 year range for George T. Stagg (Antique Collection, tears for 2021). Stagg Jr. was first released in Fall 2013 and was BTD’s way to make the Stagg nectar go a little further by releasing a younger product vs GTS but still have the legendary barrel proof bottling.
Stagg Jr., you’ve been a real good boy, we’re going to miss you. Now go out into the world and make us proud!
Something to note, if you have any Stagg Jr., you may want to hold onto it:) Below are all Jr. releases so you can track which one(s) you have.
- Batch 17: Fall, 2021 128.7 proof
- Batch 16: Summer, 2021 – 130.9 proof
- Batch 15: Winter, 2020 – 131.1 proof
- Batch 14: Spring, 2020 – 130.2 proof
- Batch 13: Fall, 2019 – 128.4 proof
- Batch 12: Summer, 2019 – 132.3 proof
- Batch 11: Winter, 2018 – 127.9 Proof
- Batch 10: Spring, 2018 – 126.4 Proof
- Batch 9: Fall, 2017 – 131.9 Proof
- Batch 8: Spring, 2017 – 129.5 Proof
- Batch 7: Fall, 2016 – 130.0 Proof
- Batch 6: Spring, 2016 – 132.5 Proof
- Batch 5: Fall, 2015 – 129.7 Proof
- Batch 4: Spring, 2015 – 132.2 Proof
- Batch 3: Fall, 2014 – 132.1 Proof
- Batch 2: Spring, 2014 – 128.7 Proof
- Batch 1: Fall, 2013 – 134.4 Proof
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