Icons Of Whiskey: George T. Stagg— Bourbon's Visionary

Forbes

10-07-2025

George T Stagg is an Icon of Whiskey Photo, courtesy Sazerac/Buffalo Trace
George T. Stagg is a legendary and influential figure in American whiskey history—a towering presence, both literally and figuratively, in the 19th-century bourbon industry. Stagg's name, now linked with quality and innovation, also serves as the brand for one of America's premium whiskeys. From humble beginnings to his transformative role in one of Kentucky's most iconic industries, Stagg's influence continues to resonate today, making him an Icon of Whiskey.
George Thomas Stagg was born in 1835 in Garrard County, near Lancaster, Kentucky. Little is known about his early years. He married Elizabeth Doolan in 1858. The couple settled in Richmond, Kentucky, where George was employed as a traveling shoe salesman.
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, George enlisted in the Union Army, serving in the 21st Kentucky Infantry Regiment. He rose from enlisted man to the rank of Captain. In 1863, he was appointed an Aide-de-Camp to General Ambrose Burnside.
In 1865, following the end of the war, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, and began his career in the whiskey industry. Stagg formed a partnership with James Gregory, creating Gregory & Stagg, Commercial Merchants & Distillers' Agents.
A bottle of George T Stagg, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery
In the late 1860s, Stagg's growing interest in the bourbon business led him to Frankfort, Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country where he forged a relationship with E.H. Taylor, Jr. Taylor was a key figure in the bourbon industry and founder of the O.F.C. Distillery (Old Fire Copper) and the adjacent Carlisle Distillery.
Taylor was a brilliant distiller but had recurring financial difficulties due to the capital-intensive nature of whiskey production. His financial problems were aggravated by a nationwide economic downturn in 1873. In 1877, Taylor declared bankruptcy, prompting Stagg and Gregory to step in as financiers and partners.
When Taylor was forced to sell the two distilleries in 1878, Stagg organized the E.H. Taylor Jr company to acquire them. He retained approximately 70% of the stock in the new company and distributed the remaining balance to Taylor. Stagg was appointed president, and Taylor vice president and head distiller.
Under Stagg's ownership, the distillery flourished, experiencing significant growth. He modernized operations, expanding production capacity and implementing cutting-edge technologies, such as steam heating of the warehouses.
Stagg's warehouses were the first climate-controlled facilities for aging bourbon in the US. He also developed an efficient and scalable aging process, improved record-keeping and quality control standards, thereby creating the consistency that consumers expected in premium bourbon.
He continued producing the O.F.C. Bourbon brand. After Prohibition, the brand name was changed to Old Stagg.
Taylor had a contentious relationship with Stagg. In 1886, Taylor left the company, trading his shares for ownership of another distillery that Stagg had acquired. That distillery would become the Old Taylor Distillery. In 1890, the company's name was changed to George T. Stagg & Company. In 1904, it was changed again to The George T Stagg Distillery.
Stagg was a key player in shaping the post-Civil War bourbon industry. He helped transform bourbon from a regional product into a nationally recognized spirit by establishing an extensive distribution network, particularly in the Midwest and South. His knack for sales and logistics, paired with Kentucky's reputation for quality whiskey, proved an unbeatable combination. The Stagg Distillery's Legacy
The George T. Stagg Distillery was one of the most modern and well-regarded whiskey operations in Kentucky by the late 19th century. Though Stagg died in 1893, at the relatively young age of 58, his name remained closely associated with the distillery. In the early 20th century, the distillery overcame significant financial challenges. They survived Prohibition by obtaining one of only six licenses in the U.S. to sell 'medicinal whiskey.'
In the decades following Stagg's death, the distillery changed hands and names several times. By the mid-20th century, it became part of the Ancient Age Distillery. Then, in 1992, it was purchased by Buffalo Trace Distillery, a subsidiary of the Sazerac Company. Recognizing the rich history of the site and its historical figures, Buffalo Trace would go on to revitalize its legacy brands, including one that would cement George T. Stagg's name in whiskey lore.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery was once known as the George T Stagg distillery. Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery The George T. Stagg Brand and Buffalo Trace Distillery
In 2002, the Buffalo Trace Distillery released a high-proof, unfiltered bourbon named George T. Stagg. It was part of its Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). This release was meant to honor Stagg's enduring impact on the industry and his contributions to the success of the historic distillery.
Each fall, the George T. Stagg bourbon is released in limited quantities, aged for 15 to 19 years, and bottled at barrel proof (often above 120 proof). It quickly gained a cult following among whiskey enthusiasts, winning numerous awards, including 'World's Best North American Whiskey' and frequent placements in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible . It has also been a consistent medalist at international spirit competitions.
Buffalo Trace's Stagg bourbon is robust, with a layered complexity that features dark cherry, leather, molasses, and charred oak. It's bold and rich on the palate, with layers of vanilla, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and baking spice. The finish is long and intense with a smoky sweetness.
Its limited availability and high quality have made it a sought-after bottle on the secondary market, often fetching prices many times above its official retail cost.
Today, the distillery once known as the George T. Stagg Distillery operates as Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is one of the oldest continually operating distilleries in the United States and has received countless accolades for its production excellence and preservation of bourbon heritage.
The distillery is owned by the Sazerac Company, a privately held American alcoholic beverage company headquartered in New Orleans. Sazerac has embraced the history of its properties, including honoring figures like George T. Stagg and E.H. Taylor Jr. with dedicated labels in its prestigious lineup.
Buffalo Trace produces a range of other highly regarded whiskies, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Blanton's, E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and Stagg Jr. The latter, now called Stagg, is a more accessible companion to George T. Stagg bourbon. Legacy and Influence
George T. Stagg may have lived in the 19th century, but his influence continues to shape the bourbon industry in the 21st century. He exemplified the importance of marrying sound business management with a commitment to quality. That professionalism is now a trademark of the American whiskey industry.
His name, once affixed to a Kentucky distillery, now stands for bold, uncompromising bourbon that has helped usher American whiskey's modern revival. The annual release of George T. Stagg bourbon remains a benchmark event for collectors and connoisseurs alike. It pays homage to a man whose vision transformed a regional spirit into a national treasure.
Though not well known outside whiskey circles, George Stagg's legacy is monumental. Without his foresight and investment, one of Kentucky's most storied distilleries might never have survived the 19th century. Thanks to him and the modern revival of his name as a whiskey brand, Stagg remains an enduring symbol of American whiskey excellence and a true Icon of Whiskey. More From Forbes Forbes Icons Of Whiskey: Elijah Craig — The Father Of Bourbon By Joseph V Micallef Forbes Icons Of Whiskey: Jacob Beam's Bourbon Dynasty By Joseph V Micallef Forbes America's Top-Rated Wheated Bourbons And Whiskeys: Smooth, Bold And Affordable By Joseph V Micallef