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Stagg vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Stagg and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (130 vs. 124).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +6 proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $120 | ~$70 – $100 ~$10 less |
- 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
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/4 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
heat 10/9 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
oak 9/9 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).