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David Nicholson Reserve vs Penelope Rio
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$55 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/9 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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 Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
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 Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).