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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Stagg
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | 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) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 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 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- 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 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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Stagg).