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Old Forester 100 Proof vs David Nicholson 1843
Comparing Old Forester 100 Proof and David Nicholson 1843 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, wheated bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 | ~$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
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).