Compare
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Comparing Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Michter's US*1 Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$85 – $100 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Michter's US*1 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) +9 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$45 – $55 ~$43 less |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Michter's US*1 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 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.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
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 slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).