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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs David Nicholson 1843
Put Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel next to David Nicholson 1843 and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a blender-built, high-wheat bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$25 – $35 ~$40 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- David Nicholson 1843 does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).