Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Penelope Rio
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$60 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 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 Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
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 and without hunting for it.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).