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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs George T. Stagg
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and George T. Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | 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 | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +43 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 ~$383 less | ~$150 – $800 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and George T. Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
- 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 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate 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 (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat (George T. Stagg).