David Nicholson 1843 is a Luxo brand, distilled by Heaven Hill, that’s mostly available around the St. Louis area and a bit in the surrounding states, but doesn’t spread much further. It definitely doesn’t make its way to Los Angeles, which is why I had to rely on the kindness of internet strangers to get a sample and taste this whiskey I see in posts but never on shelves.
In David Nicholson’s Words: David Nicholson 1843
“A ‘wheated’ bourbon that provides an exceptionally smooth flavor and finish. Winner of the Double Gold at San Francisco World Spirits competition, 1843®’s award-winning taste is appreciated from coast to coast.
NOSE
Rich scents of honey and butter are followed by subtle hints of vanilla and oak.PALATE
Exceptionally smooth to start, followed by woody, smoky overtones, with a long, warm finish with a touch of spice.”
Being a wheated mashbill distilled by Heaven Hill this is the same whiskey that used to go in Old Fitz and now goes into Larceny and Rebel Yell. It’s a good whiskey and at $30 it’s also a good value. Without a doubt if it was available in CA I’d have a bottle on my shelf, but I don’t so we have to settle for this sample and the David Nicholson 1843 review below.
David Nicholson 1843 Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
Bottler: Luxco
Mashbill: Corn, Wheat, Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS (4+ years)
ABV: 50%
Price: ~$30
David Nicholson 1843 Review
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Sweet oaky and roasty aroma: Oak, caramel, roasted grain and dark fruit with bits of cinnamon, brown sugar and a touch of peanut oil and honey.
PALATE
Spicy oaky and toasty flavor: Heavy oak, spice, toasted bread and layers of molasses, peanuts, pie crust and a bit of butter, grain and dark fruit.
FINISH
Long dissolve of oak, dark fruit, dark sweets, peanuts and spice.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, medium body and a weighty feel.
OVERALL
David Nicholson 1843 is a happy whiskey. No I’m not drunk either, nor am I high, this is the only drink I’ve had today and I’m still sipping on the sample while writing this. It has a pleasant connecting balance from the nose to the finish and is enjoyable all around. I wish it was available in Los Angeles because this is a killer deal at about $30!
The aroma and palate are rustic and warm and carry notes that scream BOURBON; it has a richness that isn’t overpowering, but inviting and a bit surprising. Being a wheatear I wasn’t expecting the David Nicholson 1843 to be as spicy as it is, but it’s a fantastic dimension to pair up with the sweet, oak, toasty and roasty character that presides over the dram as a whole. This whiskey is, in a word, delightful.
SCORE: 88/100 (B+)
Thanks to /u/rhinusdax for the sample
David Nicholson 1843 Review - Score Breakdown
Summary
David Nicholson 1843 is a delightful dram.
Overall
- Nose - 88
- Palate - 88
- Finish - 88
- Balance, Body & Feel - 88
I have an unopened bottle of 7 year 1843 dated fall 1953 to fall 1960. Can someone tell me what that might be worth? Anything? Or should l open and hope to enjoy…
Open and enjoy. It’s illegal to sell on your own and a single bottle in an auction never nets yo umuch after all the fees.
Josh, wonderful review. (I’ve read another 14 or so…nice entertainment..not to mention a gentle education.
I’m a noob bourbon drinker. My first purchase was Basil Hayden (80 proof 4 years old). Nice, but I felt lacking the lower tones..roundness I was looking for. A terrific local store here in the Nashville area, Brinkman’s, introduced this bourbon to me. They had several different bourbons available to sample. Drew mentioned he can’t keep it in stock, and said “this could be one of the most under-rated, especially in this price range.” Your rating matches mine. It is, to my sense balanced, and the extra bit of proof was not noticeable till it had slid down to the stomach. Warmth! That little bit of butterscotch and dark cherry with a bit of wood finish and aftertaste was wonderful. Thanks much for a fine review.
And thank you for sharing all of that Jason. Loved reading it. Cheers!
Okay, I grew up in St. Louis and remember this being pretty much a staple for egg nog and drinks at our family Christmas get together when I was a kid. Now that I am 68 I’m trying it for the first time and man am I sorry I didn’t try this one many years ago! Agree with everything you said about 1843. It’s just a really good whiskey. In fact I’m enjoying some neat right now. This is going to be part of my humble bar collection from now on. The St. Louis connection and history is pretty cool too. Well better go, I have some catching up to do with Mr. Nicholson.
Thanks for sharing, cheers John!
I bought a cork bottle two days ago, on close out in Montgomery county Md for 17.99. I’ve enjoyed it so far, and I’m planning to grab a few more bottles before it disappears.
Nice grab, killer price!
Purchased a bottle today at the same price. Noticed the 2015 San Francisco Double Gold sticker and a cork replacing the screw on cap. Bet the price goes up soon.
Haven’t seen the cork yet, but you’re probably right if that’s what’s happening to it.
WOW! Thanks for the heads-up on this! It’s just as good as you described, maybe a frog-hair better. Found it for $18.99 and not complaining.
Nice, that’s a great pice! Glad you like Ozark, cheers!
Pleasantly surprised by the spicy kick this has. I live in STL so it’s easy for me to find, and sometimes is on the bottom shelf! Hopefully word doesn’t get out too much because I’m pretty sure I always want this in my cabinet. Got it for 25 bucks as well…I think I’m falling in love.
It just showed up in LA and I snagged one. So happy about that. Cheers Mike!
Closeout at VA ABC. Got two bottles at $15.09 each. Really tasty bourbon, wish I’d gotten more. It has a nice oily mouthfeel and I agree about a great all-around connecting balance. A really nice surprise!
Hey Kerry,
Thanks for adding and I have indeed, I’ve also had some of the original SW DN and it’s really tasty stuff. I’ll post about it sometime in the future.
Cheers!
This was recommended by a local shop here in Upper Michigan as a new arrival after asking for a Wheater suggestion.
We really like this, esp for the price (27). Lots of Carmel on the palate, great mouthfeel too. Reminds of Blantons, not as smooth (but much cheaper!)
Way cheaper, that’s awesome you can get it. Cheers!
Makes sense. I bet you’re right.
A few nights ago I was killing time before a dinner meeting the next county over and hit an ABC store I drove by. They had several bottles of this sitting on the shelf, and I picked one up based on this review. I am in NC and had never seen or even heard of this bourbon before your review. I spoke with the clerk about it, and she indicated they almost always had it in stock. I cracked it open last night and was not disappointed. I think your review is spot on. It is a wonderful pour and at around $30, I’ll do my best to keep this one in the cabinet moving forward. I agree that there is a lot more spice in this whiskey than expected, given that it is a wheater! Thanks for the review on this.
Glad you’re enjoying it Matt and totally jealous you can find it near you. Cheers!
Thanks for tipping me off to this gem. I live in St. Louis and had seen it on the shelves but always passed it over due to the bland packaging. I guess it’s true that you can’t always judge a bourbon by its cover! I made tracks to pick it up at Friar Tuck today, and really dig it.
The wife and I were smitten with Luxco’s other wheater, Rebel Yell 10-Year, after tasting it for the first time at the Whiskey in the Winter event here in St. Louis last year. That is one hard to find bottle, and the price is even higher this year. What are the odds that this is the same bourbon in a different bottle?
Hey Cory, that’s awesome, glad you dig it! It’s definitley the same whiskey in this and in the Rebel Yell 10 years, the 10 years is just older. The whiskey in this is likely about 4 years.
Yes! Very delicious juice in that one. Come to Iowa and you can find it in places for $19.99 all day long! Great after dinner dram. Nailed the review too. Thanks, Josh!
That’s awesome. Cheers Ryan!