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Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$150 – $180 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $180 | ~$45 – $55 ~$115 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 9/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend: Older sourced bourbon finished in sherry, Cognac and then Armagnac casks. Dense dried fruit, fig and orange over cigar leaf and charred oak.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend if you want a fruit-packed, multi-cask-finished bourbon built to go with a cigar.
- Go with Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).