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David Nicholson 1843 vs Basil Hayden’s
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Basil Hayden’s reveals a matchup between a sourced, wheated blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$12 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
oak 4/3 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).