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David Nicholson Reserve vs Penelope Toasted Series
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Penelope Toasted Series and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a sourced, high-rye blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$28 less | ~$55 – $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 Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 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 Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).