Compare
David Nicholson Reserve vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$70 – $140).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$70 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- David Nicholson Reserve and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel do not publish an official mash bill.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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).