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David Nicholson Reserve vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and W.L. Weller Special Reserve reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less | ~$30 – $60 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- David Nicholson Reserve and W.L. Weller Special Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
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 W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).