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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Willett Pot Still Reserve are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$85 – $100 vs. ~$45 – $60).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$45 – $60 ~$40 less |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/6 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).