Joseph Magnus Bourbon 750ML

Joseph Magnus Bourbon 750ML is a triple-cask finished straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. A back-to-back Double Gold medal winner at the 2016 and 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this expression stands apart through its unusual finishing regimen across three distinct cask types — Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and cognac barrels — a technique rarely attempted in American whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Washington, DC / Indiana, USA  |  Triple-Cask Finished Straight Bourbon  |  Distillery: Jos. A. Magnus & Co.

Production & Heritage

Jos. A. Magnus & Co. operates out of Washington, DC, reviving a brand with pre-Prohibition roots. The bourbon itself is sourced from MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, built on a classic high-rye mashbill of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley. What distinguishes Magnus Bourbon from the broader MGP-sourced landscape is the triple-cask finishing process: the whiskey passes through Oloroso sherry casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, and French cognac casks, each contributing distinct layers of dried fruit sweetness, nutty depth, and vinous complexity that push well beyond standard bourbon profiles.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich caramel and toasted oak before moving into darker territory — fermented grapes, stewed pears, and a distinct note reminiscent of hot chocolate with brûléed marshmallow. A subtle backdrop of oil paint and pine cone gives the bouquet an unusual, almost savory complexity.

Taste: Entry is lush and sweet, led by brown sugar, caramel popcorn, and blueberry. At mid-palate, dark chocolate and currants emerge alongside almond and clove spice from the rye-forward mashbill. The sherry and cognac influence weaves throughout, delivering stewed dark fruit and a grape-forward richness that sits comfortably under the more familiar bourbon sweetness.

Finish: Long and elegant, with butterscotch and lingering baking spice that slowly fades into dried fruit and a faint cocoa powder dryness. The cognac cask influence is most apparent here, lending a polished, almost brandy-like grace to the closing notes.

How to Drink Magnus Bourbon

Neat at room temperature is the ideal starting point — the 100-proof backbone carries the triple-cask complexity without requiring dilution, though a few drops of water can open up the sherry-driven fruit notes further. A single large ice cube also works well, tempering the proof while preserving the layered finish.

• Old Fashioned: The dark fruit and chocolate depth add dimension beyond what a standard bourbon delivers, reducing reliance on sweetener.
• Vieux Carré: The cognac-cask influence creates a natural bridge to the cocktail's traditional cognac component, producing seamless integration.
• Manhattan: The sherry-finished character echoes sweet vermouth's dried fruit notes, reinforcing rather than competing with the cocktail's structure.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who already owns the standard shelf staples
• Side-by-side tastings exploring barrel-finishing techniques across producers
• After-dinner sipping as a dessert-course alternative
• Collectors seeking award-winning, limited-availability American whiskey

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Magnus Bourbon taste like? It leads with caramel, dark chocolate, and brown sugar before revealing layers of dried fruit, blueberry, and baking spice influenced by its triple-cask sherry and cognac finishing. The finish is long, with butterscotch and cocoa fading into elegant dried fruit.

How does Magnus Bourbon compare to Angel's Envy Port Finish? Both are barrel-finished bourbons with mellow dark fruit characteristics and similar proof points, but Magnus uses three finishing casks (two sherry types plus cognac) versus Angel's Envy's single port barrel finish. The result is a more layered, vinous profile in the Magnus, while Angel's Envy tends toward brighter berry sweetness from its ruby port influence.

Is Magnus Bourbon good for sipping neat? At 100 proof with substantial cask-finishing complexity, it is well-suited for neat sipping and rewards slow, attentive drinking as the sherry and cognac layers reveal themselves over time.

Where is Magnus Bourbon made? The bourbon is distilled at MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then finished and bottled by Jos. A. Magnus & Co. in Washington, DC, where the company is headquartered.

What foods pair well with Magnus Bourbon? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and dried fruit notes directly. Blue cheese or aged Gouda echo the sherry cask's nutty richness. Pecan pie mirrors the caramel and toasted nut character. Charcuterie with fig jam bridges the bourbon's sweet-savory spectrum. Crème brûlée pairs naturally with the butterscotch and brûléed sugar notes found on nose and finish.

What sizes does Magnus Bourbon come in? The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.

Is Magnus Bourbon worth the price? Magnus Bourbon positions as a premium expression within the barrel-finished bourbon category, priced above mainstream finished bourbons like Angel's Envy but justified by its unusual triple-cask process, 100-proof bottling strength, and consistent competition recognition including multiple Double Gold medals.

Why Magnus Bourbon?

The triple-cask finishing process is the defining feature — using Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and cognac barrels in sequence is a technique almost unheard of among American whiskey producers. That ambition is validated by consecutive Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016 and 2017, placing it among the most decorated finished bourbons of its era. The 100-proof bottling ensures the cask influence translates with full intensity rather than being diluted for approachability. For drinkers who find single-barrel-finish bourbons one-dimensional, Magnus represents a genuine step forward in complexity and craft.