Compare
Four Roses Small Batch vs George T. Stagg
Comparing Four Roses Small Batch and George T. Stagg reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | George T. 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 | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +53 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 ~$440 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
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 George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 5/9 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
- 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 if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template 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, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat (George T. Stagg).