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Buffalo Trace vs Stagg
Buffalo Trace and Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +40 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$64 less | ~$70 – $120 |
- Buffalo Trace and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- 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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
- 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, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat (Stagg).