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Johnny Drum Private Stock vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Johnny Drum Private Stock and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$35 – $45 vs. ~$16 – $22) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Johnny Drum Private Stock | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 | ~$16 – $22 ~$21 less |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Johnny Drum Private Stock Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).