Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel Vs. Stagg Jr.

I’m really excited for this matchup of uncut, unfiltered, Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 (Stagg Jr.) Vs. Mashbill #2(Blanton’s). For anyone who doesn’t know, Buffalo Trace produces 3 main bourbon mashbills from which it makes most of its portfolio. #1 is low rye, #2 is high rye, and the third is a wheated recipe (used for Weller and Pappy).
As far as I know, Blanton’s SFTB is the only way to sample barrel proof Mashbill #2!
Fancy Glencairn is choosing that fancy Blanton’s bottle. Let’s see how these compare!

Stagg Jr.) Aged 8-9 yrs. 127.9 proof. $60.
-The Nose is fairly strong with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, citrus, and charred oak.
-The Palate starts with a full-flavored buttery note that quickly moves into dark cherry, brown sugar, vanilla, oak, slight citrus, and hints of buttered salt.
-The Finish is long, with mild spice, more brown sugar, and a hint of tobacco smoke.
Overall this is one of my favorite pours, and is right up there with Elijah Craig BP in value!

Blanton’s) Aged 6-8yrs. 134.4 proof. $150
-The Nose is full and starts with a sour oak note, and then vanilla, caramel, orange citrus, and green apple.
-The Palate is mouth-coating in flavor, and starts with rich vanilla and apples, then moves into sweet caramel, cinnamon, some dark cherry, and oak.
-The Finish is long, with some black pepper, oak, caramel, cinnamon, and as you exhale, more dark cherry.
Overall this is an amazingly good pour, and is in the top 5 in my bar right now!

VERDICT) How do you choose a winner here? These are both incredible, and either is an instant buy at retail prices. However, a winner must be crowned! Solely on taste, I slightly prefer the brighter fruit (apple, citrus, cherry) notes that show up in the Blanton’s, and it also wins on finish for me. However, it’s hard to recommend spending two and a half Stagg Jrs when it’s this close! In the end Fancy rightly claims the win for Mashbill #2solely on taste. She’s currently writing a love letter titled “Straight From the Barrel to My Heart”

I would LOVE to see a 17yr Blanton’s SFTB show up in the Antique Collection some day!

What do you guys think!?