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David Nicholson 1843 vs Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$60 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
oak 4/8 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 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.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
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 and without hunting for it.
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)).