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Booker’s vs Stagg
Comparing Booker’s and Stagg reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Booker’s | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 125 proof (62.5% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $110 | ~$70 – $120 |
- Booker’s and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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
Booker’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Booker’s Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 8/4 nuttiness: Booker’s 8 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Booker’s 8 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Booker’s 4 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Booker’s 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Booker’s 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
heat 10/10 heat: Booker’s 10 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Booker’s: Uncut, unfiltered Beam at batch strength, and the most concentrated expression of the house peanut-and-oak character. Enormous and hot, with a finish that goes on well past where you expect it to stop.
- 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 Booker’s if you want the Beam house style at full power and you have water on the table.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile.
Best enjoyed neat (Booker’s); neat (Stagg).