Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$15 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- 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.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 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.
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout: Sourced MGP bourbon selected and bottled in West Virginia, and one of the more honest sourced brands about exactly what it is. The characteristic MGP dill-and-pepper signature, cleanly presented.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a lower price point.
- Go with Smooth Ambler Old Scout if you want the classic MGP high-rye profile from a bottler that has always been upfront about sourcing.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).