Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing David Nicholson 1843 and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a sourced, wheated blend and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 | ~$16 – $22 ~$11 less |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).