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David Nicholson 1843 vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Old Forester 100 Proof reveals a matchup between a sourced, wheated blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 | ~$26 – $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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).