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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$35 – $42 ~$54 less |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).