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Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Old Forester 86 Proof is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$150 – $180 vs. ~$20 – $26).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +15 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $180 | ~$20 – $26 ~$142 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 9/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 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 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).