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A 15-year, 135-proof legend on the table with a harmonica legend in the chair—this one hits from the first clink. We invited our bandmate Marc to the studio and opened a 2023 George T. Stagg from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, then followed the whiskey wherever it led: into the heart of Chicago blues, the chaos of a second-row Zeppelin show in ’75, and the craft behind carrying a box of harmonicas in every key.
We start with the nose—char, leather, dark fruit, brown sugar—before tackling the palate’s big swing from spice to sweetness and that long, oily finish. Along the way we break down the Antique Collection’s fall releases, why these bottles drop before the holidays, and what makes this year’s addition of a bonded Colonel E.H. Taylor such a buzz. If you’ve ever wondered why “burnt” can taste great in bourbon, how mash bills shape sweetness without wheat, or how to enjoy high proof without nuking your taste buds, you’ll leave with practical tips you can use on your next pour.
Marc’s stories give the episode its backbone: Muddy Waters playing a high school gym, late nights at the Checkerboard Lounge, and the reminder that most classic rock owes a quiet debt to the blues. Our SIP rating (Shareable, Influence, Price) keeps us honest about scarcity and cost: Stagg earns big respect on influence, gets shared only with folks who can handle the proof, and remains a bargain at MSRP but a gulp on secondary. We end the night with a few harp notes, a nod to The Doors, and a toast to opening special bottles with the right people. If you enjoy high-proof bourbon, music lore, and straight talk on tasting, hit play, subscribe, and leave a quick review—what’s your favorite pour for cold-weather nights?