Joseph Magnus Bourbon Wins Double Gold at International Spirits Competition

Jos. A. Magnus & Co., of Ivy City, was awarded Double Gold for its Joseph Magnus Bourbon at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

After Magnus' great-grandson discovered original 100+ year-old bottles of Joseph Magnus' pre-prohibition era bourbon that had been passed down through generations of the Magnus family, Jos. A. Magnus & Co. assembled a bourbon "Dream Team" led by Nancy "the Nose" Fraley, Magnus Master Blender, Dave Scheurich, former Woodford Reserve Distiller and Whiskey Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and Richard Wolf, former Buffalo Trace Distillery VP and General Manager. Upon sampling the pre-prohibition Magnus, which was one of the best bourbons the Dream Team had ever tasted, they discovered that Magnus finished his bourbon in used sherry barrels, a process that delivered a uniquely smooth bourbon with notes of rich, dark fruits. The team, led by Magnus Master Blender Nancy Fraley set out to recreate those historic Magnus qualities by finishing 9-year bourbon in used wine barrels at its DC distillery.

"After tasting the 100-plus year old Magnus bourbon, we all agreed Joseph Magnus made truly remarkable bourbon," said Nancy Fraley, Magnus Master Blender. "By finishing our product the same way Magnus did in the 1890s, we were able to make our Joseph Magnus Bourbon a near match to the original. The fact that when put up against today's top bourbons, it finished Double Gold is a special tribute to him and his amazing spirits."

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, introduced in 2000, has come to be known as the most reliable indication of a spirit's excellence. There were over 1,800 spirits judged in this year's competition. In addition to winning Double Gold, Best Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon, Magnus also took home a silver for their Vigilant Gin and a bronze medal for their Royal Seal Vodka.

"This was the first competition we entered since opening our doors this past fall and is really just the beginning of an exciting journey to bring Magnus whiskeys back to the world," said Master Distiller Brett Thompson. "We're proud of the way we've been able to capture the original Magnus heritage here in Washington, DC and have several exciting limited edition bourbons to come in 2016."

Jos. A. Magnus & Co. is located at 2052 West Virginia Ave NE #202, Washington DC 20002 in Ivy City in NE, bringing legendary libations and pre-prohibition heritage to the nation's capital.

SOURCE Jos. A. Magnus & Co.

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