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David Nicholson Reserve vs Knob Creek 9 Year
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Knob Creek 9 Year reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Knob Creek 9 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$35 – $40 |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Knob Creek 9 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Knob Creek 9 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 3/3 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the finish.
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 Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year).