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David Nicholson Reserve vs Penelope Architect
David Nicholson Reserve and Penelope Architect sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$30 less | ~$60 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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 Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).