Compare
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Put Russell’s Reserve 15 Year next to Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional 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) +17 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$250 – $400 | ~$85 – $100 ~$233 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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 Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 6/8 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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 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 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 Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).