I bought 2 bottles not too long ago. And I've drank about 2/3 of one bottle at this point... not bad. Pretty good, actually, as I had expected.

However, it's not quite as good as ORVW 15 year. It lacks that, oh so sweet, alcohol burn.

Although I had higher expectations, I'd place it in my top 3.

I've yet to try Stagg. How does it rate?

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Although I had higher expectations, I'd place it in my top 3.

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After reading all the hype and Bloofington's rating (#1) I too expected something magical from this bourbon. On first swallow it was very smooth and tasty but not the transcendant experience that I expected. I was a little disapointed. I have since revisited this brand many times and now find it to be a wonderful whiskey and a notch or two above my other two favorites, Knob Creek and Van Winkle SR 12yo.

I think that I just expected to much, whatever that was.

Of the three AH Hirsch iterations I'm familiar with; 16yo, 19yo and 20 yo, I've only tried the 16. The 16 & 20 were bottled by Julian Van Winkle. As I understand it, the older label bottlings were of a better quality than the newer versions. A more Rye and less Bourbon'esh feel and taste. It's a little hard to compare Stagg's to the Hirsch since the proof is so vastly different, not to mention the individual intent of the two bourbons. The Stagg's is a flavor baron but be warned....add some H2O. 126 proof will burn your buttons off. A little water brings out the awesome flavor and character. It's also a nice match to a quality cigar.

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Originally posted by Bill Braskey:
I bought 2 bottles not too long ago. . .

However, it's not quite as good as ORVW 15 year. I've yet to try Stagg. How does it rate?

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It rates 97 compared to AH Hirsch 16 which I think received a 95 (back in the day).

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Originally posted by WonderBoy:

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Although I had higher expectations, I'd place it in my top 3.

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After reading all the hype and Bloofington's rating (#1) I too expected something magical from this bourbon. . .
I think that I just expected to much, whatever that was.

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There have been (from what I understand) 3 releases / bottlings of this whiskey (AH Hirsch 16) over the years. . . The last one doesn't taste as good as the prior (to me) and likely this is what you guys are drinking if you purchased in the last couple of years.

ORVW 15 is the best thing going for my personal taste / $. Better get that one while you still can too, because it's done with and switched to "Pappy" style both the bottle dimensions and the flavor profile. No more screw cap, but taste is now more in line with Pappy Van Winkle 12 & 20.

This years George T. Stagg is actually 129º