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Four Roses Bourbon vs Stagg
Put Four Roses Bourbon next to Stagg and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +50 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$70 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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/10 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 3/9 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest without hunting for it.
- 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 (Four Roses Bourbon); neat (Stagg).