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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 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
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).