Compare
David Nicholson 1843 vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Put David Nicholson 1843 next to Willett Pot Still Reserve and you have a blender-built, high-wheat bottling set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson 1843 | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $35 ~$23 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- David Nicholson 1843 and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson 1843 Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).