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Bulleit Bourbon vs David Nicholson Reserve
Bulleit Bourbon and David Nicholson Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, rye-forward bottling versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$7 less | ~$30 – $40 |
- David Nicholson Reserve does 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
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).