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E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs David Nicholson Reserve
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and David Nicholson Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$45 – $90 vs. ~$30 – $40).
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 | ~$30 – $40 ~$33 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).