Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 26B
Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 26B is Buffalo Trace Distillery's barrel-proof bourbon bottled exactly as it came out of the barrel — uncut, unfiltered, and at full strength. Batch 26B lands at 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) in a 750mL bottle, and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA while this small allocation lasts.
- Batch: 26B (2026 release)
- Proof: 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV), bottled at barrel strength
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, uncut and unfiltered
- Mash bill: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (low-rye)
- Aging: Around eight years in new charred American oak barrels
- Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky
The Barrel-Proof Bourbon Named for George T. Stagg
Stagg takes its name from George T. Stagg, the 19th-century whiskey salesman who built the Frankfort distillery that eventually became Buffalo Trace. The bourbon launched in 2013 as Stagg Jr. and dropped the "Jr." from Batch 18 onward — a nod to how the whiskey itself had matured. Like its Antique Collection namesake, each batch is drawn from Buffalo Trace's low-rye Mash Bill #1, aged in new charred oak through years of Kentucky summers and winters, and bottled with nothing added and nothing taken away. Because every batch comes straight from the barrel, proof swings from release to release; Batch 26B's 125.2 proof sits at the approachable end of the Stagg range while keeping the line's signature concentration. Allocated and released in limited runs, each batch sells through quickly — you can browse more allocated releases in our bourbon whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Buffalo Trace describes the house Stagg profile as rich and sweet, and Batch 26B follows it closely. The nose opens with dark caramel and brown sugar over charred oak, with dark cherry building underneath. The palate is full-bodied and coating — chocolate and caramelized sugar up front, then cherry, clove, and bold baking spice carried on the barrel-proof heat. The finish runs long and warming, settling into seasoned oak, lingering dark sweetness, and a thread of smoke.
How to Enjoy
Pour it neat first and give it a few minutes in the glass — at 125.2 proof, Batch 26B rewards patience. A small splash of water or a single large cube opens the sweetness and pulls the cherry and chocolate forward without flattening the spice. It also has the proof to stand up in a stirred Old Fashioned without disappearing behind the bitters. However you pour it, this is a sipping bourbon, best taken slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is Stagg Batch 26B?
Batch 26B is bottled at 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV). Every Stagg batch is bottled at its natural barrel strength, so the proof differs from batch to batch.
Is Stagg the same as George T. Stagg?
No. George T. Stagg is the older, ultra-limited Buffalo Trace Antique Collection release. Stagg (formerly Stagg Jr.) is its younger sibling — same distillery, same low-rye mash bill, aged around eight years and also bottled uncut and unfiltered.
Is Stagg Batch 26B chill filtered?
No. It is bottled uncut and unfiltered, exactly as it came from the barrel, which preserves its full texture and flavor.
Where can I buy Stagg Batch 26B?
Right here — order this bottle online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA, and explore more from the distillery on the Stagg brand page.
Barrel-proof bourbon at this level rarely sits on a shelf for long — add Stagg Batch 26B to your cart at Del Mesa Liquor and order online today.