Compare
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Four Roses Small Batch
Put Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon next to Four Roses Small Batch and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$32 – $38 ~$58 less |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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 Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 8/7 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate with more proof behind it.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).