Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
David Nicholson 1843 and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, wheat-forward blend versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$55 less | ~$70 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- David Nicholson 1843 does 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.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 3/7 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
heat 5/9 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).