Compare
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year vs Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 15 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +16 proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$250 – $400 | ~$150 – $180 ~$160 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend do not publish an official mash bill.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
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/9 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend: Older sourced bourbon finished in sherry, Cognac and then Armagnac casks. Dense dried fruit, fig and orange over cigar leaf and charred oak.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind it.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend if you want a fruit-packed, multi-cask-finished bourbon built to go with a cigar at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year); neat (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend).