Compare
David Nicholson Reserve vs Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less | ~$45 – $55 |
| 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 Single Barrel Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 7 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 Single Barrel Select: Barrels pulled from the top of the rickhouse, where the temperature swings are hardest, and it shows as considerably more oak than any standard Jack. A genuinely different proposition from the black label.
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 Single Barrel Select if you want a distinctly oakier, more concentrated Tennessee whiskey with barrel-to-barrel character.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select).