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Ancient Age vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Put Ancient Age next to Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$77 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- Ancient Age and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/8 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).