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Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs Stagg
Put Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond next to Stagg and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$76 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 5/9 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Stagg).