Compare
David Nicholson Reserve vs 1792 Small Batch
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to 1792 Small Batch and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | 1792 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$26 – $34 ~$5 less |
- David Nicholson Reserve and 1792 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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 Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve 1792 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch).