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Stagg vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Put Stagg next to Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $120 | ~$16 – $22 ~$76 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Stagg and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/5 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 9/5 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).