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George T. Stagg vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
George T. Stagg and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +61 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$28 – $36 ~$443 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- George T. Stagg and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/2 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
oak 9/4 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).