Compare
George T. Stagg vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
George T. Stagg and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +43 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$16 – $22 ~$456 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- George T. Stagg and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/5 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 9/5 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).