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Johnny Drum Private Stock

2/23/2019

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Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Johnny Drum Distilling Company
Bardstown, Kentucky

SCORE CARD

Shelf: Middle Shelf
  Price Range: $40
 Proof: 101
Age: No age given – best estimate from previous releases 10 plus years
Mash Bill:  Unknown
Color:  Honey amber
Nose: Bright orange citrus notes, with vanilla, honey and toffee aromas.
Taste:  Syrup texture that continues to broaden and expand.   Presents with nice soft oak notes and vanilla that sweetens on the finish with rounded corn flavors.  Very pleasing and with flavors of vanilla, citrus, oak and toffee.

Value:  Seems a bit high
 Score:  82
 Cut to The Chase:  A solid bourbon but not my first choice in the price range.

BOURBON NOTES

It's been awhile since I've had Johnny Drum Private Stock and it's much better than I remembered it.  Sweeter and more balanced.  Soft on the initial taste with a strong corn base.   Soft oak flavors add to a rounded oak texture.  Flavors of vanilla with nice bright rye finish.  Has a nice syrup texture that heats up to a big finish.  It's high proof at 101.  If you don't like high proof, you might like a few drops of water to open it up a bit.  
 
This is a solid bourbon, reminiscent of Willet but not as balanced or smooth as Willet.  Middle Shelf is a very competitive field and Johnny Drum Private Stock makes a good showing.  I don't think you will be disappointed, but I also don't think you will be knocked out either.  One of the issues I have with Johnny Drum Private Label is that it's not really distinctive.  I don't finish it and say, "Ah, that's Johnny Drum."  As I mentioned, it's been awhile since I've Johnny Drum, and I did enjoy it.  It's very pleasing but when compared to similarly priced bourbons like Michter's Small Batch, Johnny Drum has met its match.   Middle shelf is highly   competitive with a lot of  outstanding bourbons. 
 
Reviewed by:  Jack Epps, Jr.
 
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