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Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel vs David Nicholson 1843
Comparing Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel and David Nicholson 1843 reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a blender-built, wheated bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $70 | ~$25 – $35 ~$25 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
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
- 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 Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).