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David Nicholson 1843 vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
David Nicholson 1843 and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, wheat-forward blend versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$63 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/8 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced 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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).