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Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $180 ~$160 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 9/6 fruit: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
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 at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).