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George T. Stagg vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Put George T. Stagg next to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +43 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$45 – $55 ~$425 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.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/5 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).