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David Nicholson 1843 vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Put David Nicholson 1843 next to Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and you have a sourced, high-wheat blend set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$40 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 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 Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
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 Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).