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David Nicholson Reserve vs Larceny Barrel Proof
David Nicholson Reserve and Larceny Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Larceny Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$28 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| 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.
Larceny Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Larceny Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/9 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
heat 5/9 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Larceny Barrel Proof: The wheated recipe at full barrel strength, and a genuinely dense pour. Thick caramel and baked fruit carry the heat well, and it takes water more gracefully than most bottles at this proof.
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 Larceny Barrel Proof if you want wheated sweetness with barrel-proof concentration, without the Weller price or hunt with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat (Larceny Barrel Proof).