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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 3/3 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- 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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).