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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs George T. Stagg
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and George T. Stagg are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$70 – $100 vs. ~$150 – $800).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | George T. Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $100 ~$390 less | ~$150 – $800 |
| Availability | Limited 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
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
heat 9/10 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
oak 9/9 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself 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 more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat (George T. Stagg).