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Four Roses Small Batch vs Stagg
Four Roses Small Batch and Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | 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) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +40 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 ~$60 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 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 5/9 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- 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 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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat (Stagg).