Compare
Johnny Drum Private Stock vs Basil Hayden’s
Johnny Drum Private Stock and Basil Hayden’s sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Johnny Drum Private Stock | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +21 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 | ~$38 – $45 |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Johnny Drum Private Stock Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Johnny Drum Private Stock if you want an oily, dessert-like 101-proof pour with old-school Willett character.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).