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Evan Williams Black Label vs Stagg
Put Evan Williams Black Label next to Stagg and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | 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) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +44 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$79 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/10 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 5/9 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- 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 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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat (Stagg).