Compare
David Nicholson Reserve vs Redemption Bourbon
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Redemption Bourbon and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a sourced, high-rye blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Redemption Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +16 proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$25 – $32 ~$7 less |
- 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.
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Redemption Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail 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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon).