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David Nicholson Reserve vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Wild Turkey Rare Breed and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against an uncut, high-rye heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Wild Turkey Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 116 proof (58% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- David Nicholson Reserve does 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.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
spice 6/8 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed).