Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Ezra Brooks 99
Put David Nicholson 1843 next to Ezra Brooks 99 and you have a sourced, high-wheat blend set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Ezra Brooks 99 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 | ~$22 – $28 ~$5 less |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Ezra Brooks 99 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/2 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Ezra Brooks 99: A high-proof value bottle from Lux Row. The nose is quiet, but the palate is bolder, with creamy caramel, brown sugar and a nutty, peanut-like edge.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).