George T. Stagg Bourbon Whiskey 2023 135 Proof

135 proof. Uncut. Unfiltered. George T. Stagg 2023 — the most recent annual BTAC release of one of the world's most consistently celebrated bourbons.

George T. Stagg is the flagship expression of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection — released annually in extremely limited fall allocation, uncut and unfiltered at natural barrel proof. The 2023 at 135 proof continues the series at a high-proof point, delivering the full force of Buffalo Trace's high-rye mashbill in the most powerful annual bourbon program in American whiskey.

George T. Stagg was the Gilded Age distilling magnate whose Frankfort, Kentucky facility became what is now Buffalo Trace. The distillery bearing his name still produces on the same site. Each annual GTS vintage is a unique document: different barrel selection, different natural proof, different character — the 2023 is the most recent chapter in a series that collectors build verticals of, spanning back to the program's earliest releases.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Very deep amber with the concentration of BTAC barrel-strength aging.
• Nose: Dark chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, and bold rye spice — the GTS character at 135 proof.
• Palate: Powerful and complex — chocolate, caramel, rye spice at high-proof intensity. Remarkably integrated despite the strength.
• Finish: Extraordinarily long — dried cherry, cloves, and smoke through a deeply satisfying close.

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Proof: 135 (67.5% ABV)
• Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
• Release: 2023 BTAC Annual Release
• Size: 750ml

Explore the George T. Stagg collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2023 compare to 2014, 2015, and 2022 vintages? GTS proof varies annually by barrel selection. The 2014 was 138.1, the 2015 was 138.2, and the 2022 was 138.7 — all in the high-proof tier. The 2023 at 135 is slightly below those vintages but still firmly in the upper tier of the series' historical proof range.
• Is the 2023 BTAC GTS still available? Yes — the most recent vintage. BTAC releases are strictly limited and sell out at allocation.
• How does GTS differ from Stagg (formerly Stagg Jr)? GTS is one of five BTAC annual releases in extremely limited allocation — consistently among the world's most celebrated bourbons. Stagg (renamed from Stagg Jr in 2022) uses the same barrel-strength philosophy in broader batch releases for greater accessibility.