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Stagg vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Stagg and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof | 100 proof (50% 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
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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
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Flavor Profile
Stagg Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/5 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).