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David Nicholson Reserve vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$290 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/9 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey 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 Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).