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George T. Stagg vs Maker's Mark
Put George T. Stagg next to Maker's Mark and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% 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 | ~$25 – $32 ~$447 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.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/3 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
oak 9/4 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
spice 6/2 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
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 Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).