Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Wild Turkey 81
Put David Nicholson 1843 next to Wild Turkey 81 and you have a blender-built, high-wheat bottling set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 | ~$20 – $25 ~$8 less |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Wild Turkey 81: The same mash bill and No. 4 char as Wild Turkey 101, cut to 81 proof. Honey and toffee come through clearly, but the body and spice are much lighter.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).