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George T. Stagg vs Four Roses Small Batch
Comparing George T. Stagg and Four Roses Small Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +53 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$32 – $38 ~$440 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- George T. Stagg does 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.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/4 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 9/5 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- 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.
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 significantly more proof behind it.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).