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Johnny Drum Private Stock vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Johnny Drum Private Stock and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Johnny Drum Private Stock | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +11 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 ~$495 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Johnny Drum Private Stock Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B: Twelve-year wheated bourbon from the Van Winkle line. Soft and balanced, with butterscotch, toffee and caramel and a gentle, spiced 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 significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).