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Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend vs Old Forester Statesman
Comparing Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Old Forester Statesman is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$150 – $180 vs. ~$50 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +6 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $180 | ~$50 – $55 ~$113 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 9/7 fruit: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).