Stagg Jr 26B Review
I used to make it a point to try to collect every Stagg Jr. that was released. But now, with up to four annual releases—and three mediocre batches in 2025 (batch A, B, and C) — I now prefer to taste a new Stagg Jr. batch before buying it. Such a sad statement! I do like that now there are more Staggs available so the chances of finding one are much higher than a few years ago. But it does seem that the increase in quantity does correspond with a decrease in quality, or perhaps a decrease in depth, complexity and intensity of flavor.
Fortuneatly, a friend gave me a pour, at which point I knew that I didn’t want to purchase a full bottle. So he gave me 200ml bottle to use for this Stagg Jr 26B review. This batch, more than many others, seems to generate more polarized views of whether it is a good Stagg or a poor one. But let’s keep that in context…even a “poor” Stagg is still a good bourbon. It is being measured against its stellar predecessors.
Series: Formerly Stagg Jr, now simply Stagg 26B is #33.
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age: NAS (aged at least 4 years per regulations, but rumored to be 7-9 years old)
Proof: 125.2
Proof Designation: Barrel Proof
Filtered Status: Non-Chill Filtered
Mash bill: Buffalo Trace Mash #1, undisclosed but speculated to be 82% Corn, 8% Rye, 10% Barley
Still Type: Column Still then Pot Still
Char Level: 4
Entry Proof: 125
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Company: Sazerac Company
Distilled/Aging Location: Frankfort, Kentucky
Master Distiller: Harlen Wheatley
Release Date: Summer, 2026
MSRP: $70 (2026)
Secondary Market: $125 – $200
Availability: Low/Rare – Some Hunting Required
Stagg Jr. 26B Review
August 11, 2026
My tasting reviews are unique in that I include the notes of several well-known whiskey critics. The hope is that this format will help me and others to explore and expand their tasting experience. After you have taken your own tasting notes, read the reviews and see if there is a flavor note that others discerned that now you can detect as well.
For this tasting: Opened Bottle (about 1 week), Glencairn Glass, Neat, Room Temp, Breathe: 5 minutes
Legs
Beads formed on the crown at about 5 seconds, the first legs began falling at about 16 seconds and the first legs reached the bowl at about 62 seconds.
Nose
The nose is light and fruity with mild grape, orchard fruits, honey, some leather, nutmeg, caramel, vanilla, and oak.
Score: 3/5
Other Reviewer’s Perceptions
Highly Allocated Problems: Paraphase: Barrel char and oak lead the aroma, followed by deep fruit, chocolate, caramel, and vanilla. The signature Stagg cherry note is noticeably subdued.
Amongst the Whiskey: My nose finds an open barn door giving off faint hay aromas before a sweeter bouquet blooms from that warm, earthy bed. Classic Stagg Junior cherry and cinnamon tones give me some confidence that this is going to be an enjoyable pour. Black pepper, molasses, gingerbread cookie, and dark caramel come together in a classic bourbon profile that fills my nostrils with clean bliss. Long inhales are soft and easy, presenting no trace of a harsh edge or ethanol at all. It’s that “just right” porridge, with oodles of caramel tones to enjoy.
Bentley’s Bourbon: Paraphrase: Mellow and fruit-forward, opening with a bold grape Kool-Aid aroma. Brown sugar, barrel spice, seasoned oak, and a faint touch of cherry syrup emerge underneath. Noticeably less chocolate-driven than a typical Stagg profile.
Palate
Caramel, vanilla bean, mild grape, hint of sweet cherry, a floral note, orange peel, new oak? (it seems younger than other Stagg Jrs.) There is a note of orange pith that is mildly acidic and sour.
Score: 3/5
Other Reviewer’s Perceptions
Highly Allocated Problems: Paraphrase: Very sweet and bright, with apple pie filling, sweet apple skin, vanilla ice cream, and a light touch of cherry candy or cherry chewing gum. The oak adds sweetness, but the whiskey drinks softer than its 125 proof suggests, without the usual Stagg intensity or complexity.
Amongst the Whiskey: My first sip is a bigger punch than I was expecting based on the gentleness of the nose, but this is a cask strength bourbon after all. The mouthfeel is thick and elegant, like a gourmet dessert prepared by an expert chef. This particular dessert consists of red velvet cake with a creamy drizzle, adorned with a sweet red raspberry for flavor and presentation. It’s layered like a dessert too. Lovely. Subsequent sips continue to amplify the experience and impress all of my senses.
Bentley’s Bourbon: Paraphrase: Grape soda and creamy vanilla bean dominate, creating a distinct grape cream soda character throughout the sip. The ethanol arrives quickly but fades into brown sugar, cherry, oak, and a subtle hint of leather.
Reddit: Stagg 26B is garbage. Finally got around to getting and cracking a Stagg 26B, and it does not taste like a Stagg at all. Very astringent. Almost bitter. Talked to a buddy who has a bottle and he said his is the worst Stagg he’s ever had.
This thread has some both good and bad reviews that are interesting to read.
Finish
The finish is medium-long with caramel and vanilla. Not much more than that.
Score: 2/5
Other Reviewer’s Perceptions
Highly Allocated Problems: Paraphrase: Short and quick, with sweet apple, vanilla, and mild oak fading rapidly. Pleasant, but less complex and shorter-lived than Stagg 26A or 25D.
Amongst the Whiskey: The last dregs of the glass finish strong with amaretto, cinnamon, peach, and cranberry. This has been a lovely dram from start to finish.
Bentley’s Bourbon: Paraphrase: Moderate and relatively relaxed for Stagg, with a softer Kentucky hug. Gentle barrel spice builds toward the end, adding warmth and a final kick to the lingering notes of sweet grape soda and vanilla cream.
Mouthfeel
The mouthfeel is Silken. Good but nothing special.
Mouthfeel Rating Guide: Thin = Watery | Silken = smooth & slippery, but not mouth coating | Creamy = coats the tongue like heavy cream does. | Rich or Unctuous = coats the entire palate like quality olive oil
The Burn
The alcohol burn is Average. This means that the burn from the alcohol is about what I would expect it to be. I would guess this to be around 120 – 125 proof.
The Burn Rating Guide:
Very Low = it drinks like it is a much lower proof
Low = it drinks like it is a little lower proof
Average = the heat is about what I would expect
Hot = it is hotter than what I would expect
Scorching! = it drinks much hotter than what I would expect
Tasting Summary
Stagg 26B hits the palate with the sweetness of caramel, vanilla extract and honey along with baking spices and white pepper, some barrel char and oak tannins. It isn’t very complex, just simple flavors, which is fine. But there is an unpleasant flavor that is reminiscent of orange pith that adds a sour, astringent note. Is this a younger Stagg Jr? It seems unbalanced compared to other releases.
I am very ambivalent about Stagg batch 26B. Some days I did not like this Stagg, but other days it was “growing on me” and I liked it. This batch seems unbalanced. It boils down to that orange pith note that sometimes seems more prominent than on other days. I don’t like it because of it’s sour bitterness and astringency.
My Rating – 7.8
The higher the score the better the whiskey is in my opinion. For reference, my best rated bottle so far is the George T. Stagg 2022 (138.7p) with a score of 9.7.
| Score Type | Score | Examples |
| Likability Score | 7.8 | 1.0 – 10.0 |
My Tasting Notes
A blank version of this tasting notes wheel is available in both a color and a black & white version in the member’s area.
If you found this Stagg Jr 26B review helpful, forward it to a friend!