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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $100 ~$8 less | ~$85 – $100 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/8 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 9/5 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).