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Stagg vs Buffalo Trace
Stagg and Buffalo Trace sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +40 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $120 | ~$28 – $35 ~$64 less |
- Stagg and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/4 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
oak 9/6 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).