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David Nicholson Reserve vs Rowan's Creek
On paper David Nicholson Reserve and Rowan's Creek are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$40 – $50) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Rowan's Creek do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).