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David Nicholson Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +9 proof | 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year: The older version of Bulleit's high-rye bourbon. Ten years add a lot of oak and leather to the usual rye spice, and the finish turns dry and woody.
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 Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year if you want an oak-forward, ten-year high-rye bourbon at a gentle proof.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks (Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year).