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Johnny Drum Private Stock vs David Nicholson Reserve
Comparing Johnny Drum Private Stock and David Nicholson Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$35 – $45 vs. ~$30 – $40).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Johnny Drum Private Stock | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 | ~$30 – $40 ~$5 less |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Johnny Drum Private Stock David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
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 David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).