The Life of Joseph A. Magnus
The legacy of Joseph A. Magnus began in the mid-19th century, in the midst of the American Civil War. Born in 1858 in Rome, Georgia, Magnus faced early tragedy when his father was killed during the war in 1864. Taking on responsibilities as a young boy, Magnus developed the resilience and business acumen that would later define his career. By 1880, he was working as a traveling liquor salesman in Atlanta, Georgia, and by 1884, he had married Helena Eleanor and relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio.
In 1892, Magnus founded Jos. A. Magnus & Co., a distillery dedicated to producing the finest spirits. His flagship product, Murray Hill Club Whiskey, became a hallmark of excellence, celebrated for its “delicious flavor and incomparable bouquet.” By 1903, Magnus had established his operations in downtown Cincinnati, where he created nearly 20 distinct whiskey brands. His advertisements highlighted the convivial spirit of his products, promising “delightful satisfaction to the last drop.”
Magnus also made a profound impact on Michigan, where he summered in Oden and contributed significantly to the community. He built homes, a golf course, a boathouse, and donated land for public use, creating what is now Magnus Park in Petoskey.
The onset of Prohibition in 1918 forced Magnus to halt whiskey production. Retiring to Michigan, he spent his remaining years enjoying fine spirits and contributing to his community until his death in 1927. While his story seemed to fade, it reemerged nearly a century later.
From Pre-Prohibition Legacy to Modern Revival
In 2014, Magnus’ great-grandson, Jimmy Turner, discovered a few 122-year-old bottles of Murray Hill Club Whiskey among family articles. He embarked on a journey to learn more about his great grandfather’s past and assembled a panel of experts to extract a few milliliters from a bottle to taste, test, and reproduce, if possible. The experts were stunned to discover it was one of the greatest bourbons they had ever tasted.
Inspired by this extraordinary find, Turner set out to revive his great-grandfather’s legacy. Collaborating with experts, such as Nancy “the Nose” Fraley, the nation’s leading whiskey blender, Turner worked to recreate the original Joseph Magnus Bourbon, using the same blending and finishing techniques that had defined Magnus’ spirits more than a century earlier.
When Jos. A. Magnus & Co. reopened in Washington, D.C. in 2015, they unveiled inaugural products, including the Joseph Magnus Bourbon, which employed a triple-cask finishing process in Oloroso Sherry, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, and Cognac casks, bottled at a bold 100 proof. The relaunch also featured Vigilant Gin, a London-style dry gin crafted for perfect cocktails.
Introducing Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon
In 2016, Jos. A. Magnus & Co. unveiled a bold addition to its lineup: Cigar Blend Bourbon. Conceptualized by Nancy Fraley while enjoying her pipe on her back porch, this innovative spirit was designed to pair exquisitely with cigars. Cigar Blend Bourbon builds upon the distillery’s signature Joseph Magnus Bourbon, blending it with 11- and 18-year-old whiskeys before finishing it in Armagnac brandy barrels.
The result was a bourbon unlike any other. Bold, complex aromas of tobacco, spice, leather, and toffee intermingle with notes of fig, prune, and dried apricot from the Armagnac cask finish. The release of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend batches continues to pay homage to the pre-Prohibition tradition of pairing fine bourbon with cigars, offering a unique sensory experience for modern connoisseurs.
The Magnus Move to Michigan
In 2020, the company relocated to Holland, Michigan, reconnecting the brand to Magnus’ Michigan roots. Today, Joseph A. Magnus & Co. produces award-winning spirits distributed in 33 states, honoring its founder’s commitment to excellence. With remarkable bourbon, gin, and a storied history, the Magnus brand continues to inspire and delight, proving that true quality endures.
Year after year, Jos. A. Magnus & Co. garners prestigious awards for its exceptional spirits, further cementing its legacy of excellence. The distillery also delights its loyal following with special releases, such as new batches of Cigar Blend Bourbon and limited-edition Murray Hill Club offerings, ensuring that the Magnus tradition of innovation and craftsmanship thrives in the modern era.
From its humble beginnings in the 19th century to its celebrated revival, Jos. A. Magnus & Co. proves that remarkable spirits—and the legacy of those who create them—can transcend time, inspiring new generations of whiskey lovers and bon vivants.
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