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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Rowan's Creek
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Rowan's Creek are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$85 – $100 vs. ~$40 – $50).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$40 – $50 ~$48 less |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Rowan's Creek do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/4 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).