Compare
Wild Turkey 101 vs David Nicholson 1843
Comparing Wild Turkey 101 and David Nicholson 1843 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, wheated bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $30 | ~$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
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Wild Turkey 101: The workhorse high-rye Kentucky bourbon and one of the best proof-to-price ratios anywhere. Vanilla and orange up front, then a genuinely spicy, peppery, tobacco-tinged middle that punches well above $25.
- 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 Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).