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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Penelope Architect
Put Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon next to Penelope Architect and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$60 – $70 ~$28 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.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/6 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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 Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).