Compare
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 ~$258 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/4 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).