Compare
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Stagg
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 ~$14 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/9 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
heat 7/10 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth at a lower price point.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat (Stagg).