Compare
Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Barrell Foundation Bourbon next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have a sourced, high-rye blend set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$30 – $40 ~$20 less |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- 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 Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).