George T Stagg Bourbon 2006 140.6 Proof

George T Stagg Bourbon 2006 140.6 Proof
Wonderful patinated copper red in the bottle, similar to the color of a chunk of jewelry-grade Baltic Amber. The color of this whiskey tips you off that it is well aged. Nice edge line on the glass when you swirl it, a smooth layer of whiskey. On swirling, with some minor legs and scalloping of the swirl line.
Wonderfully heavy mouthfeel, it is a sweet fire at full strength.However, the fact that you can drink it at that proof and actually like it speaks volumes as to how good it is. There is a definite sweetness to the corn with an intended rye sourness to it , kind of like the bitterness you get from an intense piece of high cocoa chocolate – and for me the same cascade of endorphins to the pleasure center of my brain.
Sweet for a second then the oak fruit and finally oaky dryness roll over the tongue with an intense but pleasant warming all the way down.A long presence and finish with a touch of astringency from the oak. The addition of some water (bottled or filtered, no chlorine!) knocks down the alcohol and opens up the bouquet nicely.