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Four Roses Bourbon vs David Nicholson 1843
Four Roses Bourbon and David Nicholson 1843 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a sourced, wheat-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$5 less | ~$25 – $35 |
- 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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).