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David Nicholson Reserve vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
David Nicholson Reserve and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$21 less | ~$50 – $62 |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).