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Penelope Four Grain vs David Nicholson 1843
Penelope Four Grain and David Nicholson 1843 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus a sourced, wheat-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% 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 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$25 – $35 ~$5 less |
- Penelope Four Grain and David Nicholson 1843 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
spice 3/3 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Penelope Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
- 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 Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).