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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Stagg
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to Stagg and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +40 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$45 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stagg does 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
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/10 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 5/9 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- 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, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat (Stagg).