Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
David Nicholson 1843 and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, wheat-forward bottling versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$20 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).