Compare
Rowan's Creek vs David Nicholson Reserve
On paper Rowan's Creek and David Nicholson Reserve are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$30 – $40) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less |
- Rowan's Creek and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
- 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
- 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, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).