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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs George T. Stagg
Put Four Roses Small Batch Select next to George T. Stagg and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | George T. 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 | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +39 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$415 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
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/10 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- 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 Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle 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 neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat (George T. Stagg).