Stagg Batch 22A Bourbon
The Stats
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Location: Frankfort, KY
- Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Batch: 22A
- Age: NAS
- Proof: 132.2 (66.1% ABV)
- Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1
- Release: 2023
- Price: $70
Stagg has never been a bourbon that lacks proof. At 132.2 proof, Batch 22A certainly isn’t changing that.
What surprised us is how well everything underneath the proof comes together. Vanilla, caramel, fruit, oak, cinnamon, and baking spice give this plenty of the big Stagg character we expect, but it never feels like 132.2 proof is the entire story.
This is big bourbon, but it’s also really well balanced.
The Whiskey Behind the Bottle
Stagg Batch 22A has a slightly confusing place in the Stagg timeline. Despite the name, Batch 22B actually reached shelves first. Batch 22A was bottled in 2022 but didn’t begin appearing until early 2023 after a reported labeling delay.
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, produced the bourbon using the distillery’s low-rye Mash Bill #1 and bottled it uncut and unfiltered at 132.2 proof.
There’s no age statement, but the bourbon shows plenty of oak and maturity in the glass. More importantly, the proof never overwhelms everything around it.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Vanilla, caramel, fruit, and oak with cinnamon and baking spice underneath. There’s plenty of intensity, but the alcohol is surprisingly controlled for 132.2 proof.
Taste
Vanilla and fruit lead into caramel, oak, cinnamon, and baking spice. Rich and full-bodied, with a really nice balance of sweetness, fruit, spice, and oak.
Finish
Long and warm with cinnamon, toasted caramel, baking spice, and oak. The flavors hang around without becoming overly hot or drying.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
9 / 10 - Excellent
Batch 22A is what we want from Stagg. It has the proof and intensity that make these bottles fun, but there’s enough going on underneath to make it more than just a high-proof bourbon. Vanilla, caramel, fruit, oak, and baking spice work together incredibly well, and the balance at 132.2 proof might be the most impressive part.
This is a very good Stagg batch and one we’d happily drink again.
Buy or Skip:
Conditional Buy
The whiskey is very good. The problem with recommending Stagg is the price you’ll actually have to pay to get one.
At or near MSRP, Batch 22A is an easy decision. For a 9/10 Stagg, we’d even be comfortable paying a little above retail. But once allocated pricing and secondary-market hype start pushing the price significantly higher, there are too many other great barrel-proof bourbons available for less.
Buy it at a reasonable price. Don’t chase it.
Where Does It Rank?
Every whiskey we review is scored using the same 10-point scale, making it easy to compare bottles across styles, distilleries, and price points. Explore our complete whiskey rankings to see how every bottle stacks up.
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Product Features
Soft-structured, 5-panel design with a low profile
100% cotton for breathable, everyday comfort
Adjustable nylon strap closure for a perfect fit
Metal eyelets for added airflow
Fits head circumference: 19⅝″–22½″ (48.3–55.9 cm)
Care Instructions
Spot clean with warm water and mild soap
Use a soft-bristle brush for stubborn areas
No need to soak—keep it neat
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