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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$60 – $80 vs. ~$85 – $100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 ~$23 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/8 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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 Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon at a 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 with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).