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David Nicholson 1843 vs Penelope Four Grain
David Nicholson 1843 and Penelope Four Grain sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, wheat-forward bottling versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$5 less | ~$30 – $40 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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 Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
oak 4/3 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
spice 3/3 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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 Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).