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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less |
- David Nicholson Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it.
- 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 (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).