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Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon vs David Nicholson Reserve
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon and David Nicholson Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less |
- 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
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
- 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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).