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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs David Nicholson Reserve
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and David Nicholson Reserve are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$60 – $80 vs. ~$30 – $40).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$30 – $40 ~$35 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- David Nicholson Reserve does 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
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- 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 (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).