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Basil Hayden’s vs Johnny Drum Private Stock
Basil Hayden’s and Johnny Drum Private Stock sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Johnny Drum Private Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$35 – $45 |
- Basil Hayden’s and Johnny Drum Private Stock do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Johnny Drum Private Stock
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
- Johnny Drum Private Stock: An old-school Willett label at 101 proof. Oily and dessert-like, with baked apple, almond and custard, and rye-like mint and spice on the finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass.
- Go with Johnny Drum Private Stock if you want an oily, dessert-like 101-proof pour with old-school Willett character.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock).