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David Nicholson Reserve vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$30 – $40 vs. ~$16 – $22).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$16 – $22 ~$16 less |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).