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David Nicholson Reserve vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$35 less | ~$65 – $75 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 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.
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year: Willett's own young distillate at full barrel proof. It is loud and sweet, all caramel corn, pastry and citrus, with a lot of heat for a four-year bourbon. Proof varies by batch.
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 Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year if you want a young, hot, barrel-proof pour that shows off Willett's own distillate with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).