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W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs David Nicholson Reserve
Comparing W.L. Weller Special Reserve and David Nicholson Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve and David Nicholson Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
- 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 Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group.
- 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, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).