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David Nicholson 1843 vs Penelope Toasted Series
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Penelope Toasted Series reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$33 less | ~$55 – $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 Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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 Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).