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Old Forester 86 Proof vs David Nicholson 1843
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and David Nicholson 1843 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, wheated blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$7 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
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/3 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
- 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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).