WORTH IT!?!? Is MURRAY HILL CLUB worth the expense and how does it compare??? 

Hey there, Magnus Master Blender Nancy Fraley here. Wow, I really enjoyed your review of JM Murray Hill Club Blended Bourbon! I thought that was a completely fair evaluation. Unlike the regular JMB, where I had a sample from 1892 to base it on (the original Magnus was either completely matured or finished in Sherry casks), the only thing I had to go on to recreate the historic MHC were old turn of the century advertisements. The adverts would say things like "If marriage is the fatal termination of a disease called love, the use of Murray Hill Club Whiskey will prove a valuable panacea to correct any marital ailments," or that it "promotes the genial glow of good fellowship and results in the hospitable interchange of kindly deeds and pleasant thoughts." Hardly anything that I could go on to determine what the historical Murray Hill Club actually tasted like! 🤣 Since I knew that the late 19th century/early 20th century version of MHC was blended whiskey, I decided to do one better and put it under the historical legal category of "Blended Bourbon, or Bourbon, a blend," which must contain at least 51% straight Bourbon, with the rest of the blend being rather nebulous. For MHC, however, I always use about sixteen or seventeen 21% MGP barrels with 1 or 2 barrels of 12 to 15+ year old light whiskey for an 18 to 19 barrel batch, so almost the entire thing actually uses Bourbon and not light whiskey. However, the light whiskey is very high in proof, as in the 130 to 140+ range, and it ends up contributing significantly to the flavor profile. When it is reduced in proof, it offers a lot of brown baking spice and black pepper, and it is also where all those butterscotch notes come from in MHC. I hope this gives a little more insight into how the flavors you are describing develop. Again, I loved your honest review of both JMB triple cask and MHC, and hope you enjoy the rest of that bottle! 🥃🥃

Personally the price difference for MHC is worth every penny over the regular Joseph Magnus. I enjoy my MHC bottle quite a bit.

You saved me on the St. Cloud. I saw it in St. Simmons Island and almost bought it because it had a nice bottle. Also, I saw the Jamie's solo flight on beyond the row. She did well. The first solo video is always the hardest.

I strongly prefer Murray Hill Club over the regular Joseph Magnus and my MHC bottle really opened up after a few months to become a really special pour. I really want to find a Cigar blend, but I have only seen them for $500 on the internet. One day I’ll get one!

The cigar blend blows that out of the water! Reason why I have 2 🔥

I have batch 28 of MH and absolutely love it. I have sampled JM and I definitely prefer the MH.

Just got a JM on sale at VA ABC for $95. I just double checked and do not smell any twangy notes or even the sherry notes. Smells sweet with strong vanilla and hints of tobacco. I have enjoyed it so far. Much like you, it was my first purchase over the $90 mark. I've been eyeing a Four Gate Kelvin Collab at a local store and I'm trying to find enough balls to drop the cash on a bottle of whiskey.

Thanks for this great review, David. We've been avoiding this one based on price, and you've given us something to think about. Cheers!

I still see the Murray Hill for $104. I think it is worth it, I won’t touch the regular JM bottle. The Murray Hill will open up and get better.

I agree on your review of the regular JM didn't really care for it. I did get a MHC recently and it's really good IMHO! Keep up the great reviews!

Fun review. A buddy gave me a sample of his MHC and it was very interesting. Couldn't put my finger on it but doing some research, I found that these use light whiskey in the blends. That could explain the bright flavor notes I got while trying it.

Great Video, just snagged a bottle at the VA ABC limited availbility drop for 109$ looking forward to trying it.

I must have been dropped on my head as a child because I love the Joseph Magnus bottles I have. Nah to being dropped, batch irregularities probably give us the unfortunate explanation.

Not sure how you edit your videos, but it looked like you popped the cork, poured a dram and smelled and tasted it within a minute. No time at all to open up, no swirling / agitation. Gotta think that it's very difficult to get the best nosing and tasting notes if that was the actual process. Always thought it was good to let a dram sit for at least 10+ minutes, especially on a neck pour and a little swirling to help. Thoughts / clarification? Perhaps another brief review in a couple weeks to see what's changed?

Just got a bottle of MHC batch 48. Still undecided if I’m going to keep it. This video has me leaning towards making this a holiday pour, just once or twice a year. Paid 120.00 for it . I have never heard of this brand, so that’s where my hesitation comes from. If anyone has had batch 48 please let me know what to expect.

You must have a weird joseph magnus cause mine tastes nothing like you describe it lol

Went to Virginia ABC and actually had one in my hand today…$109. I bought the Bookers instead.😮

MHC is a recent fav of mine 😍😍 It reminds me of Old Carter bourbon

I really enjoy it. Really high MGP rye in it (easy to smell it). I think I paid $115. Cigar blend is the best.

Loved tha last comment on wtrb

My favorite bottle is JMCB b55

Appreciate the WT Rare Breed comparison. I'll pass on this one and keep searching for a reasonably priced Cigar Blend

Are you a big coffee drinker? I always find coffee with the Joseph.

Wonderful video

virginia drops had murray hill club at my store. thats what i grabbed.

Cigar Blend was my first. It’s ok. Probably not worth the retail price. I did get a MHC last week but haven’t tried it yet. But CB are all wildly different I have the Michigan only release #2.

Doc swinsons triple cask for $60 is so much better than the Magnus. And they both come from MGP so idk what that says but I like the swinnys

Wooo

Internet says bourbon goes bad after a year or 2 once opened. Is this true?

No, next question?