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David Nicholson Reserve vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Elijah Craig Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (100 vs. 94).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$28 – $35 |
- David Nicholson Reserve does 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.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
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 Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).