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Bulleit Bourbon vs George T. Stagg
Bulleit Bourbon and George T. Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, rye-forward bottling versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | George T. Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +53 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$447 less | ~$150 – $800 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- George T. Stagg does 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
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 5/9 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat (George T. Stagg).