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Baker’s 7 Year vs David Nicholson Reserve
Baker’s 7 Year and David Nicholson Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Baker’s 7 Year | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$30 – $40 ~$28 less |
- Baker’s 7 Year and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Baker’s 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Baker’s 7 Year David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Baker’s 7 Year: The gentlest of the Beam small-batch collection despite its 107 proof, thanks to an unusually creamy texture. The peanut note is present but softened, sitting under vanilla and light fruit.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Baker’s 7 Year if you want the Beam character in its smoothest, creamiest form at a real proof point.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).