Description
Joseph Magnus Murray Hill Club Special Release is a limited blended bourbon from Jos. A. Magnus & Co. This bottling is Batch 4, and it rewards the curious bourbon drinker. Master blender Nancy Fraley built it from 8-year-old and 17-year-old bourbons. Both were distilled from a mash of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley. After blending, the whiskey spent four months in fresh Calvados casks. Those casks were picked by hand and shipped from lower Normandy, in France. Calvados is an apple brandy, so the wood leaves a soft orchard note behind. The texture stays silky. Think of it as aged bourbon wearing a light coat of apple brandy. The older stock brings depth, while the younger bourbon keeps things lively. Each batch is very small, so bottles tend to disappear quickly.
The story behind the label is a long one. The Murray Hill Club name dates back to 1892. Today the revived company works out of the Washington, D.C., area. Its team blends mature bourbon and then finishes it in creative casks. Each Special Release is small and carries its own batch number. That means no two batches taste quite the same. Earlier Murray Hill Club batches used cider and malt casks, for example. For this release, the blenders chose Calvados to frame the older bourbon. The result honours old American whiskey making while trying something new. You can taste both sides in the glass: deep oak from the old stock and bright fruit from the cask. It is a fine bottle to open when you want to slow down and pay attention.
Give it a few minutes in the glass before you nose it. The color is a deep burnt sienna that leans toward mahogany. Apple strudel and gingerbread cake drizzled with white icing rise first. Then you may pick up dried potpourri and old-fashioned apple molasses. Fraley also notes black tea sweetened with sugar cubes. Roasted chestnuts round out the aroma with a warm, nutty edge. The Calvados shows up gently here, never loud or perfumed. Small sips and a patient nose work best. Try nosing it from a short distance first, then lean in closer. The apple and spice notes trade places as the whiskey warms. Swirl the glass now and then, and new layers keep showing up. Each return to the glass seems to bring a slightly different note.
On the palate, the bourbon delivers what the nose promises. Poached pears in ruby port lead, joined by star anise and apple blossom honey. Brown butter with cinnamon adds a rich, bakery warmth. Hold a sip for a moment and let the flavors spread. The rye in the mash adds a light, peppery lift under the fruit. Roasted coffee beans and dried apricots give it depth and a little bite. Brandied cherries, candied walnuts and a touch of aged balsamic follow. The finish is extraordinarily long and rich. Plum pudding, apple crisp and citron peel wash across your palate and linger. It feels round and well knit rather than hot. Fruit and spice stay in balance from the first sip to the last. A single pour can easily last you a whole evening.
Judges have taken notice of this Calvados-finished blend. It won Double Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. At the 2025 American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition, it took Silver. It was also named Best of Category for Blended Bourbon there. Begin with a neat pour in a tulip or Glencairn glass. A little water, added drop by drop, helps the apple and spice come forward. Use a dropper or a straw so you do not add too much. A large ice cube helps if you prefer a cooler glass. It also makes a rich, fruit-led Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Keep the cocktail simple so the Calvados notes still come through. Many fans save it for sipping and mix with something else.
Food brings out even more in this bourbon. Try it with a board of aged cheeses, cured meats and dark chocolate. Grilled steak or roasted lamb stands up well to its bold flavors. For dessert, pecan pie, apple tart or bread pudding are lovely partners. This bottle suits the collector who chases rare, limited releases. It is also a thoughtful gift for a friend who loves finished whiskeys. If you enjoy fruit, spice and age in one glass, you will want to try it. Newer bourbon fans may prefer to start with a splash of water. Either way, it is a bottle that makes a special night feel more special. Once opened, store it upright, away from heat and light. Sealed tight, it will keep its character for many months.
