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David Nicholson 1843 vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$33 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- 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 Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 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.
- Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year: Penelope's uncut flagship, now with a seven-year age statement. It is richer and spicier than the Four Grain, with caramel and rye spice carried by a lot of proof.
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 Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).