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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs David Nicholson 1843
Put Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel next to David Nicholson 1843 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, high-wheat bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$25 – $35 ~$33 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- David Nicholson 1843 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
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
- David Nicholson 1843: A long-running wheated label at 100 proof. Smooth vanilla and caramel with a soft, bready body and a touch more spice than you would expect from a wheater.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).