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David Nicholson Reserve vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
David Nicholson Reserve and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$90 – $130).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +9 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$75 less | ~$90 – $130 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 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.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
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 Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish).