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David Nicholson Reserve vs Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$50 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 7% rye, 6% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$18 less | ~$50 – $55 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash
Very good. Flavorful without being too powerful.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 7 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash: Nine-year Heaven Hill in two flavors at once: the classic rye recipe brings structure and nutty oak, while a third of wheated bourbon rounds off the edges. It drinks fuller and softer than the standard bonded bottle.
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 Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash if you want a well-aged bonded bourbon that blends Heaven Hill's rye and wheat recipes into one balanced pour.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash).