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David Nicholson Reserve vs Stellum Bourbon
David Nicholson Reserve and Stellum Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Stellum Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Stellum Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Stellum Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/7 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy 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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon).