Compare
David Nicholson Reserve vs Uncle Nearest 1856
David Nicholson Reserve and Uncle Nearest 1856 are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$55 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| 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- David Nicholson Reserve and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).