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Johnny Drum Private Stock vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Johnny Drum Private Stock and Old Forester 86 Proof 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 | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +15 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 | ~$20 – $26 ~$17 less |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock does 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.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Johnny Drum Private Stock Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/3 heat: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).