George T. Stagg, 69.05%

No age statement, but distilled in 1998. A beautiful expression of Stagg, and a lot of bourbon for your buck. Easy to drink with the addition of water, showing caramel, nougat, dates, dark chocolate, polished oak, along with a hint of leather and tobacco. Slightly better than last year's release—richer, thicker, and more balanced. I'm enjoying Stagg's more rounded, less aggressive demeanor of late. A classic! Editor's Choice.