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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon next to Old Forester 86 Proof and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$20 – $26 ~$70 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 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.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).