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David Nicholson Reserve vs Penelope Four Grain
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Penelope Four Grain and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$30 – $40 |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 6/3 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 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.
- Penelope Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
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 Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).