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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs George T. Stagg
Put Jefferson's Reserve Very Old next to George T. Stagg and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | George T. Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +53 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$415 less | ~$150 – $800 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and George T. Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof at a significantly lower price point.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat (George T. Stagg).