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David Nicholson Reserve vs Old Forester Statesman
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$18 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- 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 Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/7 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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 Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).