“One of those Bourbons where a single glass is never quite enough. Great stuff!” Jim Murray. 95 points.
Johnny Drum Private Stock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the premium offering from the Johnny Drum range. Bottled at 101 proof, this big bold bourbon is a terrific rich, mellow old-school sour mash bourbon produced in very limited quantities to a method unchanged in five generations of quality distilling. At cask strength , this is the flagship from the Johnny Drum range of handmade bourbons, produced in small batches at Willett Distillery. NAS but approximatively 8 years old.
EYE: copper gold colour with a gold hue.
NOSE: a touch of shellac at first, then toffee apple, mixed nuts and an enticing array of spices including clove and vanilla.
PALATE: the attack yields concentrated flavours of dried fruits, caramel, sweet spices and sandalwood. The mouthfeel is creamy and mildly prickly at the same time, however the whisky maintains excellent balance at this strength. Finishes soft and dry with an aftertaste of vanillan oak, creme caramel and a subtle liquorice strap fade. A big, complex Bourbon experience. 50.5% Alc./Vol.