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Basil Hayden’s vs Stagg
Put Basil Hayden’s next to Stagg and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +50 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$54 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Basil Hayden’s and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/10 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 3/9 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat (Stagg).