David Nicholson Reserve Bourbon

Vanilla and cinnamon.

Sweet cedar

Having already reviewed the "standard" 100 proof Nicholson "wheated", a reputed gold medal (SanFran Spirit World) winner, and finding it somewhat ,, "meh", I have no real high expectation for their "high rye" edition. For fans of high ryes, the Reserve black label does deliver the spicy nose and some nice lemon sour vanilla notes you would expect in a decent bourbon. David Nicholson advertises this as "extra aged" and that might not be an exaggeration, as the Reserve label seems to be free of the greeny meany menthols found in youngish ryes. That's not to say a bit of ethanol tones can't be had in the nose, but it comes off as an overall pleasant bourbon-rye character. On the palate, it's the real deal in hi rye with spice and rough oaky nibs, a bit hot and harsh every bit representative of the 100 proof cut. What you don't get in any real variation of corn sugars, as the sweet notes are thin at best, get's made up in a nice solid spice oak and peppery finish. Maybe not varied or sweet but what is there is real and substantive hi rye whiskey, the afterburn of a potent less sweet bourbon that doesn't back down. If Luxco continues in this direction they are going to be a substantial force in this area of the market. Your mileage on this one depends entirely on your affinity for a high rye that brings the heat but not the sweet. At the price it really comes down to the hard bourbon and spice notes being in your wheelhouse or not, if that sounds like you then you will want this in your bar since the price tag is entirely reasonable. Cheers!