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David Nicholson 1843 vs Maker's Mark
On paper David Nicholson 1843 and Maker's Mark are near neighbours — both wheated bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 | ~$25 – $32 |
- 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.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/3 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
- Go with Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).