Joseph A. Magnus was a real-life distiller in the 1800s who shuttered his business during prohibition. His great-grandson sought to resurrect the family trade and chose the District as the distillery’s new home. The Bourbon is aged eight years, inspired by 100 more. Magnus may be new, but they’re not starting from scratch. Legacy aside, the distillery was put together by a team of industry vets that includes 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 finishing the bourbon in sherry and cognac barrels.
