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W.L. Weller Full Proof vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put W.L. Weller Full Proof next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Full Proof | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) +14 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $120 | ~$30 – $40 ~$50 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller Full Proof and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Full Proof David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: W.L. Weller Full Proof 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 3/6 spice: W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: W.L. Weller Full Proof 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: W.L. Weller Full Proof 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: W.L. Weller Full Proof 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- W.L. Weller Full Proof: Weller's wheated bourbon bottled at its barrel-entry proof of 114, without chill filtering. Coffee cake, caramel and cinnamon with a bold, warming body.
- 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 W.L. Weller Full Proof if you want a bold, sweet wheater bottled at barrel-entry 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 without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (W.L. Weller Full Proof); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).