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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs George T. Stagg
Put Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond next to George T. Stagg and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | George T. 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +43 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$425 less | ~$150 – $800 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- George T. Stagg does 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
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it 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, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat (George T. Stagg).