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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$50 – $55 ~$40 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 8/7 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).