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Evan Williams Black Label vs George T. Stagg
Evan Williams Black Label 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 | Evan Williams Black Label | 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +57 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$459 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
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/10 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 5/9 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that 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 cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat (George T. Stagg).