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David Nicholson Reserve vs Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
David Nicholson Reserve and Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/4 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon).