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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Stagg
Comparing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Stagg reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | 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 | 120 proof (60% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$45 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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 Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
heat 8/10 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- 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 Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost without hunting for it.
- 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 (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat (Stagg).