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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Johnny Drum Private Stock
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Johnny Drum Private Stock sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Johnny Drum Private Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$35 – $45 ~$10 less |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Johnny Drum Private Stock
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it.
- Go with Johnny Drum Private Stock if you want an oily, dessert-like 101-proof pour with old-school Willett character at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock).