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George T. Stagg vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
George T. Stagg and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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 | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +43 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$85 – $100 ~$383 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- George T. Stagg and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/5 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 9/6 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 6/8 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 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.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
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 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).