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David Nicholson 1843 vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and an uncut, wheated heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$52 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
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Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).