Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon Whiskey
Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon Whiskey is a 107.8-proof (53.9% ABV) high-rye bourbon — a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys batched from the choicest well-aged barrels in Nelson's Green Brier Distillery's Nashville inventory. Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson revived their family's pre-Prohibition Tennessee distilling legacy with this line, and the Reserve is its boldest expression: high proof, high rye, and built to startle and delight. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 53.9% (107.8 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: blend of well-aged straight bourbon whiskeys (no age statement)
- Origin: Nashville, Tennessee — Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
- Production: high-rye mash bill (corn, rye, malted barley); select barrel lots batched for a high-proof blend
A Family Legacy, Bottled at Full Strength
Charles Nelson founded Tennessee's largest pre-Prohibition distillery in 1860; in 2006, his great-great-great grandsons Andy and Charlie Nelson set out to revive it, and Nelson Brothers is the flagship of that revival. The Reserve starts with the distillery's best-aged bourbon barrels — each lot chosen for flavor and fragrance — then batches them into a high-proof blend rich with rye. It earned 95 points from The Tasting Panel and a spot in Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2022: a bourbon that punches well above its proof.
Tasting Notes
Per the distillery: cherry, maple syrup, sweet mint, and cinnamon roll on the nose. The palate shows caramel, allspice, cherry, and hazelnut; the finish is earthy with cocoa, allspice, and cherry cobbler. The Tasting Panel's Meredith May found root beer, sandalwood, baked apple, ginger, and black cherry with a burnt-orange, vanilla, and maple close.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a splash of water to open the high-rye spice — at 107.8 proof it takes water beautifully. It also anchors a serious Old Fashioned or bourbon Manhattan. Browse more Green Brier Distillery whiskeys and our bourbon collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proof of Nelson Brothers Reserve?
107.8 proof (53.9% ABV).
Is it a high-rye bourbon?
Yes — the mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley is rye-forward, giving it extra spice and structure.
Is Nelson's Green Brier a real historic distillery?
Yes — founded by Charles Nelson in 1860, it was Tennessee's largest pre-Prohibition distillery; brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson revived it in 2006.
Bold proof, bold rye, bold flavor — order Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.