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David Nicholson Reserve vs Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
On paper David Nicholson Reserve and Jack Daniel’s 12 Year are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$80 – $120) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$65 less | ~$80 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year).