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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Put Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon next to Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 ~$233 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/9 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
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 at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).