George T. Stagg 142.8 Proof! But Is It Even The Best of the 2025 BTAC Lineup?

First released in 2002, George T. Stagg quickly became, and has continued to be, one of the best bourbons available on the market. Ranging from 15 years to 18 years at barrel proof, it’s dark, rich, robust flavors leave bourbon sophisticates looking forward to every annual release. Over the years, the proof for the brand has varied from 116.9 [2019] to more than 144. For 2025, the famed “hazmat” tag is back for the first time since 2016.

I was able to procure this year’s GTS thanks to my buddy, Micah, who used one of his Black Friday selections for me! I was prepared to hit the secondary market for this one, only because I’ve never had a hazmat GTS before, and I had justified (in my own mind) my 1-time splurge. Thankfully, I didn’t have to drop 💲9️⃣0️⃣0️⃣➕. But it wasn’t really near SRP either. Full transparency - I gave 💲4️⃣9️⃣9️⃣➕Uncle Sam’s share.

If you haven’t seen our review of this year’s William Larue Weller, we talk about this year’s Whiskey of the Year Battle Royale, and I said the GTS would be part of it. But now that I have it, is this “hazardous material” even the best of the 2025 BTAC lineup?

Let's find out!

👃🏻On the nose: Black cherry, blackberries, dark raspberries. Dark brown sugar & molasses. Leather and tobacco. This quintessential George T. Stagg. Surprisingly not proofy. The nose is spectacular!

👅 On the palate: There's that 142! Hits hard with that dark fruit medley. Oak. Molasses. Tobacco and leather. Very nice, complimentary spices. Over-baked pie, kinda like the WLW, but much darker and more rich! Balanced & complex.

🏁 Finish: Long. Sweet. Perfect balance of sweet & slightly tannic oak. Dark fruits and spices. Exceptional.

With an SRP of 💲1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ish (locally), this is unbelievably good. However, for what this is going for right now on secondary (💲9️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ish), I say this.... To some people, it might be worth it. I was prepared to do it once, but I’m glad I didn’t have to.

Bottom Shelf Jim says he’d pay up to double MSRP, so 💲3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ (here locally).

My personal feeling is this: If you have the opportunity to get this for under 💲5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣, and your budget allows, I'm going to give it a recommend. Would I buy a 2nd bottle for 💲5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣? I actually think I would.

Drop us a comment! Let us know what you think of the video. Have you got to try this year's WLW or GTS? What are your predictions on how this will do up against 15-20 other whiskies, to include WLW, WT Beacon, Old Stubborn/Old Swagger, a 16-year Buff Turkey, and a plethora of others, in a Whiskey of the Year Battle Royale?

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