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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Stagg
Comparing Four Roses Single Barrel and Stagg reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$45 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/10 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
- 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 Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range 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 neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); neat (Stagg).