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David Nicholson 1843 vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
David Nicholson 1843 and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, wheat-forward blend versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +10 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$30 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).