Compare
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$45 – $55 ~$43 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).