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Woodford Reserve vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | 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 | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $42 ~$54 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon does 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
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
fruit 6/8 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
- 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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong 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 with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).