George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2016 Antique Collection)

Price

$1,999.95

✔ Authenticated by the house — seal, fill level, and label inspected before release
✔ Documented provenance on every bottle
✔ Climate-safe, collector-grade packaging

Age: 15 Years, 4 Months (2016 Release) | Region: Frankfort, Kentucky | Proof: 144.1

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Vault-to-door shipping

Adult signature (21+) at delivery

144.1

Proof

72.05%

ABV

15yr 4mo

At Bottling

2001

Distilled

142

Barrels

75.99%

Evaporated

No George T. Stagg from 2008 through 2025 came out as strong as this fall 2016 release of the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, at 144.1 proof (72.05% ABV). The spring 2001 whiskey came from 142 barrels on the first three floors of Warehouses M, N, H, L and K; Buffalo Trace bottled it at 15 years and 4 months without cutting or filtering it.

Nº 01

The Elemental Distinction

Second only to 2007. Across 2002 to 2025, only the fall 2007 Stagg, at 144.8 proof, beats it.

Most of it gone. Evaporation took 75.99% of the original whiskey; of the sheets from 2012 to 2019, only the 2015’s, at 84.46%, records more.

5.9 points above 2015. And 14.9 above the 2017 that followed at 129.2.

Above 70% ABV. At 72.05% it is past the 70% ceiling that federal hazardous-materials rules set for spirits in airline passengers’ bags.

On sale that autumn. The announcement published in early September scheduled the collection for late September or early October; Buffalo Trace’s letter for the release carries the date August 24, 2016.

Nº 02

Nine Years to the Next 140

2016 to 2025

After this release no George T. Stagg topped 140 proof again until the fall 2025 release at 142.8. Buffalo Trace’s letters and announcements give 129.2 for 2017, 124.9 for 2018, 116.9 for 2019 and 130.4 for 2020; there was no Stagg in 2021, and 2022, 2023 and 2024 came in at 138.7, 135 and 136.1.

Nº 03

Sensory Profile & Strategy

The 2010 and 2012 flavors

Sensory Profile

Buffalo Trace’s comment for 2016 is “Dark chocolate, coffee and vanilla”, the same three flavors it had given the 2010 and 2012 releases.

Strategic Position

Both neighbors fall well short of it: the 2015 Stagg that lost 84.46% to evaporation by 5.9 proof points, the 309-barrel Stagg released in 2017 by 14.9. The 2016 set’s wheated bourbon, Weller’s 135.4-proof release of fall 2016, came in 8.7 points lower.

Nº 04

Collector Note & Index

Vault provenance

→

142 Barrels

Fourteen more than in 2015; in 2017 the count jumped to 309.

→

Warehouse N

N is on the 2016 sheet and on no other Stagg sheet from 2013 to 2019.

Collector IndexGTS · Fall 2016

Release: Fall 2016
Distilled: Spring 2001
Age at bottling: 15 years, 4 months
Proof: 144.1 (72.05% ABV)
Barrels: 142, chosen by hand
Warehouses: M, N, H, L and K, floors 1, 2 and 3
Evaporation: 75.99%

For the vintages either side of this one, browse the rest of Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection.

Nº 05

Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Whiskey	George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Release	Fall 2016
Distiller	Buffalo Trace Distillery, Franklin County, Kentucky
Distilled	Spring 2001
Age	15 years and 4 months old at bottling
Proof / ABV	144.1 proof (72.05% ABV)
Mash bill	Kentucky corn, Minnesota rye and North Dakota malted barley
Barrel	New white oak, #4 char (55 seconds), filled at 125 proof
Warehouses	M, N, H, L and K, floors 1, 2 and 3
Evaporation loss	75.99% of the original whiskey
Barrels	142, chosen by hand
Filtration	None (uncut and unfiltered)
Format	750 mL

Nº 06

Records & Assurance

Authentication & Vault Preservation

Every bottle sold through Midnight Whiskey is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see our editorial and authentication standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is the 2016 George T. Stagg?

Buffalo Trace bottled the 2016 George T. Stagg uncut and unfiltered at 144.1 proof, or 72.05% ABV, from spring 2001 whiskey aged 15 years and 4 months. Across its Stagg releases from 2002 to 2025, only the fall 2007, at 144.8, was stronger.

Why is the 2016 George T. Stagg called a hazmat?

The hazmat name comes from U.S. hazardous-materials rules: spirits above 70% alcohol by volume, or 140 proof, may not travel in airline passengers’ bags. The 2016 George T. Stagg is 144.1 proof, 72.05% ABV, over that line.

Midnight Whiskey · The Vault George T. Stagg · Fall 2016

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George T. Stagg

The Elemental Distinction

Nine Years to the Next 140