Compare
Uncle Nearest 1856 vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Comparing Uncle Nearest 1856 and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional Tennessee whiskeys, separated mainly by price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$85 – $100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Uncle Nearest 1856 | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$30 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Uncle Nearest 1856 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/8 fruit: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
- 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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it 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 (Uncle Nearest 1856); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).