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David Nicholson Reserve vs Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Old Grand-Dad Bonded reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Old Grand-Dad Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$24 – $30 ~$8 less |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Old Grand-Dad Bonded do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/8 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 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 Grand-Dad Bonded: A bonded 100-proof high-rye bourbon for the price of a mixer, and one of the great bargains on the shelf. Cleaner and less overwhelming than the 114 while keeping the peppery rye backbone.
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 Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded).