Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Old Forester Statesman
Put David Nicholson 1843 next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a blender-built, high-wheat bottling set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$23 less | ~$50 – $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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/7 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).