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David Nicholson 1843 vs Johnny Drum Private Stock
David Nicholson 1843 and Johnny Drum Private Stock sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, wheat-forward blend versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Johnny Drum Private Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$10 less | ~$35 – $45 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Johnny Drum Private Stock do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Johnny Drum Private Stock
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 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.
- Johnny Drum Private Stock: An old-school Willett label at 101 proof. Oily and dessert-like, with baked apple, almond and custard, and rye-like mint and spice on the finish.
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 Johnny Drum Private Stock if you want an oily, dessert-like 101-proof pour with old-school Willett character.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock).