Compare
David Nicholson Reserve vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
David Nicholson Reserve and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$60 – $80).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Elijah Craig Toasted 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) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$35 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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 Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer 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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).