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David Nicholson Reserve vs Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
On paper David Nicholson Reserve and Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 111) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$20 less | ~$40 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/8 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 7 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 3 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.
- Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon: Kentucky bourbon finished in the Louisville brandy maker's apple brandy barrels. The finish reads like caramel apple pie: baked apple and cinnamon over a sturdy oak base.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon if you want an apple-brandy-finished bourbon that tastes like caramel apple pie with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon).