Sipp’n Corn Bourbon Review – David Nicholson Reserve

I had never really heard much about the David Nicholson brand before, other than having the dim recollection of it being sourced from Stitzel-Weller back in the day.  I received a bottle for review back in August as part of a brand refresh over the summer, and while intrigued, I hadn’t posted in a couple of months and had a backup of reviews to do, so I had to wait.  Then this fall, I had the 10-year, 100 proof brand extension of Rebel Yell, and my interest in Luxco wheated Bourbon shot through the roof.  I had to see if the updated David Nicholson was as impressive.

When I checked my bottle though, I had received “David Nicholson Reserve,” which uses rye as the secondary grain, instead of “David Nicholson 1843,” which is the wheated version that I had in mind.  But like the new Rebel Yell, it is bottled at 100 proof, and it is “extra aged.”  You can expect to pay $5 – $10 more for Reserve compared to 1843.

Brown side of amber with nice legs.

The aromas are pleasant with leather and char, balanced with a little black pepper, but more sweetness like cinnamon apples and brown sugar, in addition to the standard caramel and vanilla.

There is much more age in the backbone of this Bourbon than I expected.  After brown sugar sweetness and creamy nuttiness, oak, rye grain, pepper, and earthy flavors take hold.  Mellowing with a splash of water gives way to more sweetness, especially toffee and cocoa.

Oak and spice carry the medium-length finish too.  Although it leans toward being an overall dry finish, dark berries and toffee balance out the oak and earthiness very nicely.

This is a solid Bourbon.  With the age shown in David Nicholson Reserve and Rebel Yell 10-year, it’s nice to see that Luxco had the foresight to be able to increase ages in the midst of the current Bourbon craze.  Options in this price range are getting a little crowded, but David Nicholson Reserve should be able to push its way in with this kind of quality.

1 – Swill.  I might dump the bottle, but will probably save it for my guests who mix with Coke.

2 – Hits the minimum criteria, but given a choice, I’d rather have something else.

3 – Solid Bourbon with only minor shortcomings.  Glad to own and enjoy.

4 – Excellent Bourbon.  Need to be hyper-critical to find flaws.  I’m lucky to have this.