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Four Roses Small Batch vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Put Four Roses Small Batch next to Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 ~$58 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- 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
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 7/8 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
- 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 Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a significantly 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 more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).