The unfortunate weather in Austin this last week has a little silver lining in that it has given me plenty of time to drink whiskey and write about it! I’ve been holding off on the last couple ounces of my bottle of Murray Hill Club to write a review and since I am all about side by sides now I decied to grab a mini of Joesph Magnus bourbon to review with it. I’ve had the Magnus once or twice at a bar and drank a good about the Moonshine barrel select Magnus so I am looking forward to drinking in a more tasting friendly setting. So let’s see how these pricey, sourced bourbons stack up!
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Age: NAS
Abv: 100 proof
Color: Deeper amber
Price: $99.99 (21.99 for this 100ml bottle I bought)
Neat
Nose: Slightly harsh with citrus and oak then vanilla and baking spice.
Taste: A nice mouthfeel with more citrus and oak with caramel, warm spice and vanilla notes.
Finish: Short to medium finish that its a bit hot with cinnamon, oak and baking spice notes.
On a rock
Nose: Subdued with soft citrus and vanilla notes.
Taste: This ice really opens this up with the bright citrus note in the forefront with vanilla and oak supporting. Sort of like a woody orange creamsicle. The mouthfeel is also improved with a bit of ice.
Finish: Short, soft and sweet finish with more fading citrus and vanilla.
Murray Hill Club Batch 11 Bottle No 179
Age: A blend of 10 year light whiskey and 13 year and 20 year bourbon
Abv: 103 proof
Color: Slightly less deep amber
Price: $99.99
Neat
Nose: Surprisingly soft with brown sugar, honey, vanilla and toasted oak notes.
Taste: An excellent mouthfeel with rich notes of honey, vanilla, brown sugar, and toasted oak with milder vanilla and warm spice notes.
Finish: Long, warm and sweet with honey and vanilla notes that fade to warm spices.
On a rock
Nose: Subdued with honey and faint oak notes
Taste: The mouthfeel holds up well with the ice. The ice sort of brightens up the whiskey bringing down the toasted oak and spice notes and bringing out a slightly fruity note, green apple perhaps?
Finish: Still long warm and sweet with honey and vanilla and less of a fade to spice than neat.
Conclusion
It looks like an unpopular opinion but I am huge fan of the Murray Hill Club and will definitely be picking up the next batch and keeping an eye out for the special release. The Joseph Magnus bourbon on the other hand was underwhelming, though good, and I am very glad I bought the 100ml instead of picking up a full bottle as I just can’t justify the price point. The citrus and vanilla notes were nice for sure but it a little hot for me neat and if I am drinking it over ice there are so many cheaper and delicious options.
On a side note I want to try blending some of my High West 14 year Light Whiskey with an extra aged bourbon now to see if I can approximate the Murray Hill Club.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
7 - a great whiskey I’d order at a bar
Murray Hill Club Batch 11 Bottle No 179
9 - a favorite I’d like to keep on my shelf
You can also follow me on Instagram(@atxbourbon) or reddit to keep up with these reviews and my other whiskey-centric adventures.
Scale
You can also follow me on Instagram(@atxbourbon) or reddit to keep up with these reviews and my other whiskey-centric adventures.