Johnny Drum Private Stock has been on my “to try” list for years, but I never went for it at the store or the bar. There was always something that kept me from it, which usually means there’s an identity problem with it: no buzz, or a branding issue. I was, therefore, excited to get this in my review bag to finally give it a go.
After getting to know this bottle, I think it’s safe to say it has a solid identity. Johnny Drum is a brand from Willett and there are three labels of it, the 80 proof low shelf Green Label, the 86 proof low-mid shelf Black Label, and the 101 proof middle shelf Private Stock, reviewed here.
Legend has it that a teen named Johnny Drum left home in Kentucky to fight in the Civil War. However, he was too young to be allowed to take up arms, but a battalion took him on as a drummer boy. After he returned home to Kentucky, he worked corn and, ultimately, started distilling. The spirit in this bottle is the legacy of that original recipe.
The rest of my original avoidance I think continues to be true. There is not a lot of buzz around Johnny Drum, and I’d bet that with a bottle redesign (it gets lost on the shelf with all of the gloss these days), and going up one more notch and adding a special release single barrel or anniversary version could make this a hotter property. However, we still give everything a fair shake, so let’s see how it tastes.
Tasting Notes: Johnny Drum Private Stock Bourbon
Vital Stats: 101 proof, no age statement, no grain bill information. $40 for 750ml
Appearance: Pours a golden orange, with medium, slow legs. Looks like a bourbon.
Neat-
Nose: The nose is very interesting. I’m getting pretty defined ripe peach, with cedar, and saw mill. There’s no heat on the nose, which is surprising considering the proof.
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Palate: This medium bodied, and is dominated by sweetness, fruit notes, and woods. I get light caramels, navel orange, sugar cookie, and a fair bit of oak. There is a slight but noticeable astringency.
Finish: The finish is medium length, is spicy, and very drying, and has notes of cinnamon, charcoal, and leather.
With Water-
Nose: With the water addition there is a nice candied apple note on the nose, otherwise the character does not change much.
Palate: In the mouth it is much smoother and more integrated, and a slight smokiness peaks through the sweetness.
Finish: The finish is still very dry, but is more warming rather than prickly, and the cinnamon note is the most prominent.
Final Thoughts and Score:
I would be very interested in try this bourbon from previous years when there was a 15-year age statement, and what is in the bottle today. All of the promotional materials about this speak to a strong smoke character, but this bottle was much sweeter and fruitier, which I enjoyed. The defining character of the however is the dryness, which is the most pronounced in memory. Ultimately it’s a solid bourbon for the price.
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