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Blanton’s Single Barrel vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Blanton’s Single Barrel next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 | ~$30 – $40 ~$80 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).