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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$85 – $100 vs. ~$28 – $36).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$28 – $36 ~$61 less |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).