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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs David Nicholson 1843
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and David Nicholson 1843 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, wheat-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$25 – $35 ~$30 less |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and David Nicholson 1843 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
- David Nicholson 1843: A long-running wheated label at 100 proof. Smooth vanilla and caramel with a soft, bready body and a touch more spice than you would expect from a wheater.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).