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Wild Turkey 101 vs David Nicholson Reserve
Wild Turkey 101 and David Nicholson Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $30 ~$8 less | ~$30 – $40 |
- David Nicholson Reserve 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
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/6 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Wild Turkey 101: The workhorse high-rye Kentucky bourbon and one of the best proof-to-price ratios anywhere. Vanilla and orange up front, then a genuinely spicy, peppery, tobacco-tinged middle that punches well above $25.
- 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 Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).