Compare
Knob Creek 9 Year vs Stagg
Comparing Knob Creek 9 Year and Stagg reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 ~$58 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Knob Creek 9 Year and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the finish.
- 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 Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat (Stagg).