Johnny Dean Ross Full Proof Bourbon
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Overall Value: 2.75/5
Distillery: MGP
Classification: Bourbon
Company: House of Veritasi
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 111
Age: NAS
Color: Golden Wheat
MSRP: $60 (2026)
Mashbill: 51.63% Corn, 29.37% Rye, 11.44% Wheat, 7.56% Malt
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of this Johnny Dean Ross Full Proof leans a bit young, opening with a sweet mix of banana Runts, cotton candy Dum Dum suckers, and aged firewood. Alongside that fruitiness, you get a distinct cereal note—think a bowl of Frosted Flakes or bran cereal drizzled with honey—plus the sugary-chocolate scent of unwrapping a Tootsie Pop. It’s light and dry, but offers a fun candy-shop variety.
The mouthfeel of the palate is light and silky, though it drinks a bit basic given the proof. It brings flavors of vanilla Tootsie Rolls and cotton candy sweetness, layered with a subtle woodiness like fresh sawdust. While the flavors are dialed back and lack deep complexity, it avoids harsh alcohol heat, making it an easy, smooth entry-level pour that slowly grows on you over multiple sips.
The finish is relatively short-lived and fades away pretty quickly. What little lingers includes notes of vanilla wafers, light oak, and a faint hint of red fruit. The exit starts strong with a touch of chocolate, but it can pivot into an awkward charred oak or tobacco note that doesn't quite stick the landing before disappearing.
This bottle occupies an awkward middle ground. While it’s pleasant enough to enjoy if someone pours you a glass at a party, it ultimately feels a bit too young and basic to chase down for your home bar. When there are high-proof alternatives like 1792 Full Proof available for a better price, it's a hard bottle to prioritize, even if it has its charming moments.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
It smells a bit youthy with a banana runt and aged fire wood scent.
It's sweet and fruity but also a bit dry.
Repeat nosings started reminding me of Cotton Candy Dum Dum suckers.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is light and silky.
The flavor immediately reminded me of a vanilla tootsie roll with a bit of that cotton candy sucker profile with a generic sweetness.
Additional sips started to develop a woodiness like sawdust.
THE FINISH:
The finish is unfortunately kind of not present.
The lasting profile is vanilla wafer, light oak, and maybe a small hint of red fruit but it’s gone pretty quick.
BUY OR PASS?
The most apparent problem with this pour is that everything seems a bit youthy. The color, the short finish, the dryness of the palate, etc. I will say I didn't get the apparent alcohol notes commonly associated with youthful whiskey.
The amount of flavor it does provide is just not enough to compensate, even if I do appreciate them.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
It’s pretty light on the nose.
You get some wheat and honey, which honestly smells exactly like a bowl of Frosted Flakes or maybe a bran cereal.
Interestingly, it has that specific scent of a chocolate Tootsie Pop—not the way it tastes, but that exact sugary-chocolate smell when you first unwrap it.
THE TASTE:
It’s very "entry-level." Even though it’s a Full Proof, it feels a bit young because there’s just not a lot of depth.
It has those classic chocolate and caramel notes we all look for, but they’re dialed way back—like a 2 out of 10 for intensity. If you weren’t overthinking it, you’d probably just call it a "smooth bourbon" and go about your day.
That said, the more you sip it, the more it kind of grows on you.
THE FINISH:
It starts off strong with that Tootsie Roll chocolate flavor, which is great.
But then it pivots into a charred oak or tobacco note that doesn't quite mesh well.
It almost sticks the landing, but then stumbles at the very end.
BUY OR PASS?
This bottle is in a weird middle ground. I don’t hate it, but I’m not running out to tell my friends to buy it. It’s just a bit too basic, especially when you consider how many bangers are available at this same price point - grab 1792 Full Proof for cheaper!
If you offered me a glass at a party, I’d happily drink it and enjoy the conversation. But if I’m standing in front of my own bar at home? I’m probably reaching for something else every single time.
