Johnny Drum - Private Stock - Straight Kentucky Bourbon
$34.99
Johnny Drum – Private Stock – Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Proof: 101
Age: No Age Statement (NAS)
Distillery: Willett Distillery, Bardstown
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon – Sour Mash – Charcoal Filtered
Mash: Unknown
Website: Willett Distillery – Johnny Drum
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Sour Lambic Beer (Earthy Sour) with light fruit tones – Apple Cider and Apricot. Hiding in the background is Caramel and Grains. (When I first poured this and got into the nose I got grains and nail polish remover. I had to revisit this multiple times and give it a few swirls. I noticed it opened up from off-putting in the first minute to unique and pleasant after some swirling agitation and time in the glass)
Taste/Palate: Average Heat for a 101. Right from the start I pick up that sour mash. It’s Grain forward with Tart Apple at the beginning and much smoother in the midpalate with ancillary characteristics of Vanilla, Oaky Medium Char and Leather. It works it’s way from “chewy” at the start to sweet and Rich in the midpalate.
Finish: Average finish length. Consistent Heat carries through. It’s a very interesting combination of the aforementioned sour notes and the sweetness combined and battling for dominance. Once again I get Apple, Vanilla, Caramel, Leather, a little Grain Spice.
Verdict: This pour took me for a journey. First minute on the nose I was scared. After it opened up on the nose I was hopeful. On the palate I was intrigued. On the finish of my first sip I wanted nothing more than to start the process all over again to confirm what just went down. Final verdict… This is a very unique and solid pour. Highly recommended, but be patient with it. You have to get past the first couple pages in this book before it wins you over.
The Story: This is another one of those bottles that my friend was able to scoop up for me while touring the Bourbon Trail. I have heard tales of Johnny Drum but have never seen it in the wild. It’s not like it’s in the bourbon unicorn status where people are lining up for hours in the cold just to pick it up so I was previously miffed of it’s existence. I am certainly glad I have this behind my bar. Right after I reviewed this pour I took a sip of Michter’s Sour Mash and there is a noticeable difference. The sour mash (sour/tang) taste is much more pronounced in Johnny Drum. I understand that “sour/tang” might seem like poor adjustives to describe a whiskey that you like, but you’ll have to try it for yourself.
The Distillery’s Story: Willet was founded in 1936 by the Willett family farm. It started small and got larger as time went on. In 2011 they opened a visitor’s center and got serious. Now lets focus on Johnny Drum specifically. There’s very little on the website about it other than a short bit about some tasting notes. Further research suggests that Johnny Drum was a drummer boy during the civil war on the confederate side. Stories say he returned home after the war and got into bourbon whiskey production utilizing excess corn crops. There is also mention on the bottle that “every drop charcoal filtered”. It is not common for Bourbon to be Charcoal filtered. Typically Tennessee Whiskey uses this technique and for that reason they usually don’t use the Bourbon designation on their bottles even though many of them would qualify if they choose. There’s also mention on the Willet web site that there are 2 versions of Johnny Drum. Black Label and Private Stock. I’ll keep my eye out for the Black Label but I’m not holding my breath of finding it if it does actually exist.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Nose, Palate, and Finish I rank regardless of cost. Value (recent addition) is ranked based on taste vs price.
Reviewer: David S
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