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Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Comparing Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$150 – $180 vs. ~$55 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $180 | ~$55 – $70 ~$103 less |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 9/4 fruit: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 6/8 spice: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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 Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).