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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Comparing Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$55 – $70 ~$30 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/4 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
spice 5/8 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).