Today we’re sitting down with Stagg Batch 24C from Buffalo Trace. If you’ve been in the bourbon world for any amount of time, you know the name. Stagg is the younger sibling of George T. Stagg from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and it’s built on the same idea: uncut, unfiltered, barrel proof bourbon that doesn’t hold anything back.
This batch came in at 128.9 proof with an MSRP of $65. Finding it at that price is another story, but we’ll get to that.
The Stagg Lineup
Stagg is released in batches, and the name tells you exactly when it came out. The number is the year, and the letter is the release order within that year. So 24C is the third batch of 2024.
That batch system matters because every release is a little different. Some batches get talked about for years. Others are just good. Part of the fun with Stagg is comparing them side by side and finding the ones that really stand out.
Buffalo Trace doesn’t officially disclose the mashbill, and there’s no age statement on the bottle. What you’re getting is barrel proof Buffalo Trace bourbon, straight from the barrel with nothing added and nothing taken away.
On the Nose
Be ready for this one. There’s a lot of heat and spice right out of the gate, and the ethanol is a little overwhelming at first.
Give it some time, though, and it settles into a really nice oak and cherry profile. Behind that you get the classics: brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel. Once the alcohol burns off, it’s a very traditional, very inviting bourbon nose.
On the Palate
I’ll be honest. The first sip was way too hot. So hot that I set the glass down and let it sit for about 10 minutes before going back in.
That was the right call. After resting, this became a completely different pour. Cherry cola takes the lead, followed by a kick of cinnamon red hot candy. Underneath it all are some great bitter notes of leather and tobacco that give it depth and keep the sweetness in check.
This is a bourbon that rewards patience. If you drink it right after pouring, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
The Finish
Here’s where 24C falls a little short. The finish is a bit dry and stale, and it leaves more to be desired compared to what the nose and palate promised.
That said, it’s still a great journey from start to finish. I’ve had better batches of Stagg, no question. But even an average Stagg batch is still a pretty hard product to beat overall.
Pro tip: If you don’t want to wait 10 minutes, try adding a few drops of water. At nearly 130 proof, a small splash can knock down the heat and open up the cherry and cinnamon much faster.
The Verdict
Stagg 24C isn’t the best batch out there, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s big, bold, and full of classic Buffalo Trace flavor once you give it room to breathe. The heat will scare some people off, and the finish isn’t its strongest point, but the palate after a proper rest is excellent.
Score: 82/100.
At $65 MSRP, it’s a great value for barrel proof bourbon of this quality. The challenge is finding it anywhere close to that price. If you do, grab it, pour it, and then walk away for a few minutes. You’ll thank yourself later.
Summary
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Mashbill: Undisclosed
- Proof: 128.9
- Price: $65 (MSRP)
- Nose: Heat and spice up front, settling into oak, cherry, brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel
- Palate: Cherry cola, cinnamon red hot candy, leather, tobacco
- Finish: Dry and a little stale, but still a solid journey overall
- Score: 82/100
