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David Nicholson Reserve vs Four Roses Small Batch Select
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Four Roses Small Batch Select reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Four Roses Small Batch Select |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$25 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- 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.
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Four Roses Small Batch Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/8 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
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 Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select).