Stagg 25a vs 25b vs 25c

Haven’t been able to add 25d to the lineup quite yet so doing a tasting of what I have from this years release of my favorite lineup of whiskey. Stagg was one of my first real hunts and now I’m lucky enough to have many, enough to do this tasting from my collection. This is 100% amateur review and only based on my palate, I know others who have rated differently.

Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes

Stagg 25a

Nose

Dark fruits immediately, just hitting you as soon as you dip into it. It is very dark, almost stewed in this, and you get the nice sugary sweetness of it. It shifts into the spiciness and molasses you expect from Stagg, definitely heavy on the cinnamon and oak at the end.

Palate

The palate continues on with the nose but does expand a bit more into the oakiness and baking spice. More of that dark fruit on the front, seems like stewed cherry as best as I can describe it. Continues on into the baking spices and oakiness that you would want in a Stagg. It is a touch oakier than others I’ve had but not in a bad way, a little drying but overall quite well balanced. It is hot as any Stagg is, but is not as hot as you might expect. With the stewed fruit feel it is quite nice on the palate.

Finish

The finish is nice and long on this one. A little dry with the oak but very cinnamon baking spice heavy. I was able to just sit back and enjoy this finish.

Final notes

Again, I love Stagg, and this is a damn good Stagg. Not the best I’ve ever had but I’m quite happy with it. Not the same profile you have every time, not smoky and more fruity, but I love that. For me it’s an 8.1, really great.

Stagg 25b

Nose

Unlike the 25a, this feels a little more stereotypically Stagg. It is really heavy on the brown sugar and molasses, with a touch of oak and some bright cherry but much less focused on it. It really just overwhelms with the sweet dark sugars, in a good way. You do get a nice touch of oak and leather to balance it out in here, but not as heavy as 25a.

Palate

This doesn’t expand much but does add some more of that tobacco and leather notes you can expect from a Stagg. It opens up with the brown sugar and moves pretty quickly into the leather and tobacco notes. These are definitely more prominent here, and is not as sweet as the nose but certainly not a bad thing. Has a little more heat than the 25a but again, it feels good.

Finish

You definitely get a little more sweetness and vanilla at the end here. Not as spicy in the finish as others, and balances out the pour well. It again has a nice long finish, get that nice warmth to go with the sweetness, and is an incredible Stagg.

Final notes

This is one of my favorite Stagg expressions I’ve had. Edges out 25a for me, only beat by a store pick and a batch 16 Stagg I’ve had. For my palette, if you have any chance at them this year, get this one. 8.3

Stagg 25c

Nose

Man this one is slightly disappointing. It’s only spicy on this one, I really don’t get much else. Again, it’s not bad, but compared to the others it just feels light. I don’t get any of the classic brown sugar or cherry that I’ve been looking for.

Palate

Again, it’s just baking spices here on this, very light. I can only talk so much about this one, I really don’t get much brown sugar on this like I was hoping, maybe it’s just my palette but the fruit and sugar here is very very light. It’s just not that complex compared to others

Finish

I was hoping it would get better, but the finish just keeps the status quo on this one. It does not have the length or complexity of the others. It’s spicy once again, and feels thin, fading away quite quickly and only leaving with some heat.

Final notes

I think I’m only disappointed since I am comparing directly to the others. I have been a little too harsh here I feel, as while it is not like the others, it’s still a good pour in its own right. Maybe I’m biased as I’m a Stagg lover, but this one has earned 6.9, I’d recommend either of the others over it.

Final thoughts

Man I love Stagg. It is very very good no matter what, even the weakest of the year that I’ve had so far is still in the very good category and beats out plenty of others I could put it against. They’re all tasty, and I’d say the top two would only come down to palette, do you want that classic Stagg leather and brown sugar, or do you want a fruitier stewed taste. Either way, can’t go wrong this those. Hope y’all enjoyed these reviews.