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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Johnny Drum Private Stock
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Johnny Drum Private Stock is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (94 vs. 101).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Johnny Drum Private Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$9 less | ~$35 – $45 |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock does 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
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Johnny Drum Private Stock
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
- 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 Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
- 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, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock).