Compare
Elijah Craig Small Batch vs George T. Stagg
Elijah Craig Small Batch and George T. Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | George T. 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +49 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$444 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
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
- 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 Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
- 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 neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat (George T. Stagg).