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George T. Stagg vs Booker’s
Put George T. Stagg next to Booker’s and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against an uncut, high-rye heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | Booker’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +18 proof | 125 proof (62.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$85 – $110 ~$378 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- George T. Stagg and Booker’s do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Booker’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Booker’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/8 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Booker’s 8 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Booker’s 4 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Booker’s 7 out of 10
oak 9/8 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Booker’s 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Booker’s 7 out of 10
heat 10/10 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Booker’s 10 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Booker’s: Uncut, unfiltered Beam at batch strength, and the most concentrated expression of the house peanut-and-oak character. Enormous and hot, with a finish that goes on well past where you expect it to stop.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with more proof behind it.
- Go with Booker’s if you want the Beam house style at full power and you have water on the table at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); neat (Booker’s).