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Stagg vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Put Stagg next to Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$45 – $55 ~$45 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/3 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
oak 9/5 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).