Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Penelope Architect
Put David Nicholson 1843 next to Penelope Architect and you have a sourced, high-wheat blend set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$35 less | ~$60 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Architect
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Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).