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George T. Stagg vs David Nicholson 1843
George T. Stagg and David Nicholson 1843 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a sourced, wheat-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +43 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$25 – $35 ~$445 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- George T. Stagg and David Nicholson 1843 do not publish an official mash bill.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
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
heat 10/5 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
- 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 George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with significantly more proof behind it.
- 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 (George T. Stagg); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).