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David Nicholson Reserve vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
On paper David Nicholson Reserve and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 82.3) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$28 – $36 |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).