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David Nicholson Reserve vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
David Nicholson Reserve and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$110 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).