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Joseph A. Magnus started his distillery in the 1800s, and then closed it as a result of prohibition. Years later, his great grandson found a few bottles of his ancestors whiskey, and determined to resurrect the family trade.  A resident of Washington DC, he chose the District as the distillery’s new home.

While the distillery may be relatively new, they’re not starting from scratch: The distillery was created by a team of industry veterans that include former Woodford Reserve distiller Dave Scheurich, Nancy “The Nose” Fraley—a high-ranking whiskey blender—Richard Wolf of Buffalo Trace, Brett Thompson and former Gin Joint bartender Nicole Hassoun.

The crew found bourbon barrels aging in Kentucky, and worked to recreate the flavor of Magnus’ original product through aging the whiskey in white oak barrels and then finishing it in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and cognac casks.

Joseph Magnus Bourbon Tasting Notes:

Aroma: chocolate cherry notes and a touch of cigar box.

Taste:  toasty barrel char dominates, along with a strange peanut brittle character. A complex blend of flavors emerges thereafter: butterscotch, gunpowder, and beef jerky, the whole affair coming off as a bit messy.

Finish: a reprise much of the above, ending on notes of Cracker Jack and barbecued beef ribs. A significant red pepper note lends a surprising harshness to the proceedings.

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