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David Nicholson 1843 vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
On paper David Nicholson 1843 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B are near neighbours — both wheated bourbons — so price (~$25 – $35 vs. ~$170 – $900) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$505 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
spice 3/3 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 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.
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B: Twelve-year wheated bourbon from the Van Winkle line. Soft and balanced, with butterscotch, toffee and caramel and a gentle, spiced finish.
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 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).