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Old Forester Statesman vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$30 – $40 ~$18 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/3 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).