Ask the Whiskey Hotline - Alternatives to Stagg Jr.
Every day, the Whiskey Hotline answers real questions from customers seeking special releases, gift ideas, and expert recommendations. With hundreds of inquiries pouring in annually, we spotlight one question each month and share our answer in hopes it helps you, too. Email the Whiskey Hotline at spirits@binnys.com.
I’ve been looking for Stagg Jr. from the Buffalo Trace distillery but have not had any luck. Can you help me?
Unfortunately, Stagg Jr. is still tightly allocated and when we receive it, there is still more demand than supply can handle. Bottled at barrel proof and famously powerful, it’s a great whiskey, especially for those looking for some proof. We do have some excellent barrel proof bourbons on the shelf that make excellent alternatives when you can’t find Stagg Jr.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Kentucky Straight BourbonOld Forester has been making fine bourbons for 150 years, holding the distinction of being the first bottled bourbon. Their Whiskey Row series celebrates this long history with expressions that are named after years important to their company or bourbon generally. Old Forester 1920 pays homage to the prohibition era, when they were legally allowed to sell bourbon as medicine, as long as it was put into the barrel at 100 proof. Their whiskey increased proof to around 115 as it aged, and 1920 is bottled at this proof. Rich and spicy with a good dose of balancing fruit, 1920 is one of our favorite high proof bourbons. |
Booker's Bourbon Jerry's BatchReleased in several batches throughout the year, Booker’s bourbon is Jim Beam’s homage to legendary Master Distiller Booker Noe. Grandson of Jim Beam, Booker would bottle a barrel of whiskey uncut to give away as gifts. Jerry’s Batch pays homage to Jerry Dalton, the only Master Distiller at Beam that wasn’t a member of the Beam family. Bottled at 124.7 proof, it showcases the importance of Kentucky’s climate on the bourbon produced their, with very hot summers and cold winters contributing to complexity of flavor. |
Wild Turkey Rare Breed BourbonWild Turkey is one of the most well-known bourbons across the country, and much of this can be attributed to Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. In the early part of his career, Jimmy pounded the pavement for the brand, getting bar and store placements at a time when bourbon was not always an easy sell. Originally created by Jimmy in the 1990’s to introduce a cask strength offering to Wild Turkey’s lineup, Rare Breed is blended from 6-, 8- and 12-year stocks. |
Penelope Barrel Strength Straight BourbonPenelope is the newest producer on this list. Started in 2018 and named after the owners’ newborn daughter, the brand made a huge splash, sourcing bourbon from Indiana’s MGP. Eventually purchased by MGP, the masterful blenders at Penelope gained access to the best MGP had to offer. Their barrel strength bourbon is constructed from their four-grain whiskey, a blend of 3 separate mashbills. Bottled at natural cask strength, this is a powerhouse of a whiskey. |
