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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$90 – $130 vs. ~$85 – $100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$85 – $100 ~$18 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/8 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).