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David Nicholson 1843 vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Old Forester 86 Proof reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Old Forester 86 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) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 | ~$20 – $26 ~$7 less |
- 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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 Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).