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David Nicholson Reserve vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
On paper David Nicholson Reserve and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$55 – $65) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +10 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$25 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.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 Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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 Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
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 Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).