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David Nicholson Reserve vs Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
David Nicholson Reserve and Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$16 – $22).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$16 – $22 ~$16 less |
- 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.
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 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.
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
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 Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond).