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David Nicholson 1843 vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
David Nicholson 1843 and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, wheat-forward blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$20 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 4/8 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a lower price point.
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).