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David Nicholson Reserve vs Larceny Small Batch
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Larceny Small Batch and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Larceny Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +8 proof | 92 proof (46% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$25 – $32 ~$7 less |
- 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 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Larceny Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 8 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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 Small Batch: Heaven Hill's everyday wheater and the most affordable way into the style. Soft honey and butterscotch with almost no spice, and a texture that makes the low price hard to argue with.
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 Larceny Small Batch if you want an easy, sweet, genuinely inexpensive wheated bourbon at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, cocktails (Larceny Small Batch).