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Stagg vs Basil Hayden’s
Put Stagg next to Basil Hayden’s and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +50 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $120 | ~$38 – $45 ~$54 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Stagg and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.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
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/2 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
oak 9/3 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).