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David Nicholson 1843 vs Stagg
David Nicholson 1843 and Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, wheat-forward blend versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$65 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
heat 5/10 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 3/7 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat (Stagg).