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Old Forester Statesman vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Put Old Forester Statesman next to Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$40 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- 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
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/5 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 7/8 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).