Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$33 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- David Nicholson 1843: A long-running wheated label at 100 proof. Smooth vanilla and caramel with a soft, bready body and a touch more spice than you would expect from a wheater.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series).