The flagship of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, uncut and unfiltered Bourbon distilled in 2000 with a rich, aromatic nose and notes of cocoa, molasses, coffee beans, oak, and vanilla. The taste in one word: Boom! Classic Stagg intensity with molasses, brown sugar, touches of figs, dates, and dark chocolate that add a very complex balance to the spicy white pepper and allspice notes on top. This year’s edition isn’t the spice monster of previous years, but has its own personality. The finish lingers more slowly than previous editions, but retains the good balance of spice and sweetness. Excellent! (December, 2015)