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David Nicholson Reserve vs George T. Stagg
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to George T. Stagg and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | George T. Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +43 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$440 less | ~$150 – $800 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- David Nicholson Reserve and George T. Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
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 George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat (George T. Stagg).