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David Nicholson 1843 vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put David Nicholson 1843 next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have a blender-built, high-wheat bottling set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$5 less | ~$30 – $40 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- David Nicholson 1843: A long-running wheated label at 100 proof. Smooth vanilla and caramel with a soft, bready body and a touch more spice than you would expect from a wheater.
- 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 David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history 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 rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).