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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$78 – $85 ~$11 less |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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 Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).