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1792 Small Batch vs Maker's Mark
1792 Small Batch and Maker's Mark sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | 1792 Small Batch | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $34 | ~$25 – $32 |
- 1792 Small Batch 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
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
1792 Small Batch Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/2 spice: 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price.
- Go with Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).