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David Nicholson Reserve vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$47 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).