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Johnny Drum Private Stock vs Knob Creek 12 Year
Put Johnny Drum Private Stock next to Knob Creek 12 Year and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Johnny Drum Private Stock | Knob Creek 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 ~$23 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock and Knob Creek 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Johnny Drum Private Stock Knob Creek 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 9 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/7 nuttiness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Knob Creek 12 Year: Three more years in the barrel than the standard Knob Creek, and the wood does all the talking. Deep oak and leather over the familiar Beam peanut note, drying toward genuinely tannic on the 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 at a lower price point.
- Go with Knob Creek 12 Year if you want the Beam house profile pushed as far into oak as it goes while staying balanced.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock); neat, rocks (Knob Creek 12 Year).