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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs David Nicholson Reserve
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and David Nicholson Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$30 – $40 ~$110 less |
| Availability | Allocated | 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
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
- 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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
- 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 (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).