Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 25A
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It is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 126.5 proof (63.25% ABV), follows the distillery's low-rye Mash Bill #1, and is aged in new charred American oak with no official age statement (reported at roughly 8 to 9 years). Deep mahogany in the glass, it leans into oak, spice, and dark fruit: caramelized brown sugar, dark cherry, and molasses give way to heavy oak, dark chocolate, black cherry, and espresso, with a long, hot finish of oak tannins, dark fruit, and peppered heat. The Elemental Distinction The first of Buffalo Trace's four 2025 batches — and the fiery, high-heat one of the run. Uncut and unfiltered at 126.5 proof (63.25% ABV), straight from the barrel. Low-rye Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1, aged in new charred American oak. No official age statement; reported at roughly 8 to 9 years. Deep mahogany color. Oak-, spice-, and dark-fruit-forward, leaning into Stagg's signature heat. 750 mL. Sensory Profile Nose: Caramelized brown sugar, dark cherry, and molasses, with charred vanilla and a hint of cinnamon. Palate: Heavy oak, dark chocolate, black cherry, and espresso, with baking spice and roasted nuts. Finish: Long and hot — oak tannins, dark fruit, and peppered heat. Dense and concentrated at barrel strength. Strategic Position The fiery first of the 2025 run, ahead of Batch 25B, the next release in the 2025 run, and Batch 25D, the last of the 2025 batches. For more high-proof bourbon, see the wider bourbon selection. Technical Specifications Distillery Buffalo Trace Distillery (Sazerac) — Frankfort, Kentucky Brand / Line Stagg (Stagg Jr. 2013–2021; renamed Stagg from Batch 18, 2022) Batch Batch 25A — first of the 2025 batches (the fiery one) Category Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — barrel proof Proof / ABV 126.5 proof (63.25% ABV) Filtration Uncut & unfiltered (non-chill-filtered) Mash Bill Low-rye Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 Cooperage New charred American oak Age Statement None official — reported at ~8–9 years Color Deep mahogany with crimson/amber highlights Bottle Size 750 mL Availability Allocated release (small batch) Country of Origin United States (Kentucky) Collector Note Stagg began as Stagg Jr. in 2013 and dropped the "Jr." with Batch 18 in 2022; Buffalo Trace now issues two to three batches a year, each marked by the two-digit year plus a letter. Batch 25A opened the 2025 run, and it is the one drinkers describe as the fiery, high-heat release — the batch where Stagg's signature intensity is most pronounced. With 25A on the shelf, the full 2025 set (25A through 25D) is complete, which is part of what makes the opening batch worth holding for anyone collecting the run in order. It is released in limited, allocated quantities, and it is worth remembering this is the Stagg line, not the once-a-year George T. Stagg of the Antique Collection. As the first and hottest entry of the year, 25A is a natural anchor for a batch-by-batch, collectible vertical. Recommended Serving Pour it neat in a Glencairn and let it rest for a few minutes; at 126.5 proof this is the hot one, so a few drops of water go a long way toward opening the caramel and dark cherry and softening the heat. A large ice cube works for a slower pour, but give it a chance neat first — the oak and espresso depth show best with just a little water. Production Methodology Batch 25A is built on Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #1, the distillery's low-rye recipe (exact grain percentages are not published). The whiskey is aged in new charred American oak and reported at roughly 8 to 9 years, with no official age statement, then bottled uncut at 126.5 proof (63.25% ABV) and non-chill-filtered. Keeping the natural barrel oils and esters is what gives the batch its dense texture and concentrated flavor — and, at this strength, its pronounced heat. Within the 2025 run, 25A is the high-heat opener: oak, spice, and dark fruit are pushed to the front, and the proof is felt. Authentication & Vault Preservation Midnight Whiskey is an authorized retailer; every bottle is sold in its original packaging and inspected before it ships. Orders are double-boxed with protective padding and dispatched with temperature-aware handling. Delivery requires an adult signature: the recipient must be 21 or older and present valid government-issued photo ID. For how we verify and grade what we sell, see our authentication standards; for white-glove acquisition and storage, see the Vault Concierge; and for how we source and vet listings, see our editorial sourcing standards. Frequently Asked Questions What makes Stagg Batch 25A different? Batch 25A is the first of Buffalo Trace's four 2025 batches and the one reviewers single out as the fiery, high-heat release of the run. It is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 126.5 proof (63.25% ABV), with a deep mahogany color and an oak-, spice-, and dark-fruit-forward profile that leans into Stagg's signature heat. How should I drink Stagg Batch 25A? At 126.5 proof it drinks hot, so most people start it neat in a Glencairn and let it rest, then add a few drops of water to open the caramel and dark cherry and tame the heat. It is uncut and unfiltered, so the texture is dense and the flavors concentrated.
