Compare
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Stagg
Put Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon next to Stagg and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat (Stagg).