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Stellum Bourbon vs David Nicholson Reserve
Stellum Bourbon and David Nicholson Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stellum Bourbon | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +15 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less |
- Stellum Bourbon and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stellum Bourbon David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/5 heat: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy 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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 (Stellum Bourbon); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).