Johnny Drum

[graftonbc1]

I went into a really neat store up here in Westborough, MA. I went there because they have selection of hot sauces that are usually only available online. I grabbed a bottle of Mad Dog 357 25th Anniversary Sauce, and then went over to the check out the bourbons they had. They had quite a nice selection.

 

I struck up a conversation with the owner, told him my story and what I was currently sipping. He recommended Johnny Drum Private Stock. I had only heard of it as I had never seen it in any of my usual stores. He told me he makes a point of getting it because he has several customers that love it. It was 32 bucks, so I took a flyer and brought it home.

 

I had some patio furniture and a 35" outdoor griddle to put together, so I poured an ounce and sipped it over the course of a couple of hours. It was a very nice bourbon. The nose gives you a lot of maple, oak, and an earthy aroma, similar to wet grass (perhaps?). It is sweet forward as the maple nose indicates, but as I let it linger in my mouth a bit, give you a deeper and richer caramel/cinnamon flavor, along with vanilla oakiness. On the finish, it gave me a taste of peanuts.

 

Interesting, I put a dab of the hot sauce in some plain yogurt and ate it. The hot sauce was definitely as hot as advertised and not for the faint of heart. After eating this, my mouth on fire, I poured another mouthful of Johnny Drum. The dominant taste was the vanilla with what I can only describe as a minty/menthol. The peanut finish remained.

 

I am glad I followed the recommendation. It is a very enjoyable pour.

[Richnimrod]

JDPS had been a pretty good selection for a number of years; but my experience in the last 2-3-years is that has become quite variable; with a couple bottles out of the 5-I've acquired in the last 3-years being rather different and IMO not as good.    That isn't to say you wouldn't like 'em; only that I found those two wanting.     My take on this is that KBD has found it increasingly difficult to source those same quality/age stocks with which to create the JDPS profile and has had to compromise somewhat.    None of the bottles during this time has been 'lousy' to my taste buddies; just not up to par with my expectations. 

JDPS has never been a "bargain" choice; but has been worth the ask IMO in the past.     As the variability has crept into the brand I find that to be less so.    Interestingly, your tasting impressions are quite close to mine (when speaking of the past offerings), other than the 'wet grass', which I only have noted in the 'other two', and the peanutty note in the finish, which I have yet to find in JDPS.    I used to find a very subtle note of walnuts that I haven't found in anything in a few years.    I think that may be a diminution of my own palate, though.

Edited June 11, 2017 by Richnimrod

[graftonbc1]

35 minutes ago, Richnimrod said:

JDPS had been a pretty good selection for a number of years; but my experience in the last 2-3-yeras is that has become quite variable; with a couple bottles out of the 5-I've acquired in the last 3-years being rather different and IMO not as good.    That isn't to say you wouldn't like 'em; only that I found those two wanting.     My take on this is that KBD has found it increasingly difficult to source those same quality/age stocks with which to create the JDPS profile and has had to compromise somewhat.    None of the bottles during this time has been 'lousy' to my taste buddies; just not up to par with my expectations. 

JDPS has never been a "bargain" choice; but has been worth the ask IMO in the past.     As the variability has crept into the brand I find that to be less so.    Interestingly, your tasting impressions are quite close to mine (when speaking of the past offerings), other than the 'wet grass', which I only have noted in the 'other two', and the peanutty note in the finish, which I have yet to find in JDPS.    I used to find a very subtle note of walnuts that I haven't found in anything in a few years.    I think that may be a diminution of my own palate, though.

Thanks for the feedback. I am still learning and feeling my way around my new hobby. This was one of the few bourbons I have tried without reading any prior reviews, so it was fun to see if I could like something without any prejudice.

[GaryT]

I haven't bought a bottle recently, but for $30 I've always enjoyed the bottles I bought.  Never had enough of them to compare/contrast.  I first discovered it after it had lost its age statement, so I think Richnimrod's take is probably right.  Generally when age statements disappear, there's younger whiskey going in (and that becomes a slippery slope).  Not being the distiller for what went into the bottles I bought, I think they're even more prone to variability over time if their sources dry up, or they find themselves subbing something else that is close, but not identical.  But - having never had the age-stated version, my opinions are only based on what I'd bought in the last 5-6 years - which I've never been disappointed with.  I always thought it had a pretty nice balance of complexity (its got some at least), proof, and sweetness for the price point.  Unfortunately I'm not a huge fan of big oak, so my tradeoff is more complexity often means more oak (at least in bourbon).  

 

Most important opinion is always your own   Glad you enjoyed it!

[Limegoldconvertible68]

It's definitely been a good pour for me.  I think I got some of the the early NAS bottles because they sat on the shelf for quite some time in my store. Eventually they clearaned them out at $25 some I loaded up. I'm now down to one last bottle and haven't seen it in any of the stores near me in over a year. 

[EarthQuake]

I haven't had it, but one of the stores that I usually order online from just got this in stock for $29: https://wineandcheeseplace.com/index.php?route=product/product&search=drum&product_id=7543

 

 

[Bourserker]

I had a bottle of thus stuff a while back, and it's pretty dang tasty.  Just haven't seen it in a while, so haven't had a chance to purchase another.

[BDanner]

I get heavy musty orange. Very different and a departure from my normal pours. I will pick it up at $30 the few times I am able. 

 

[CardsandBourbon]

Just had a pour tonight and I really enjoy it.  I get a dry tobacco taste.  Not objectionable just very different than most pours.

[NDN98]

I don't recall ever seeing a bottle of Johnny Drum, but I will pick it up if I see it....especially at that price point.