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Penelope Toasted Series vs Stagg
Comparing Penelope Toasted Series and Stagg reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$33 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
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
- 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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish 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, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat (Stagg).