Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$25 – $35 vs. ~$110 – $180).
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$115 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 and without hunting for it.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).