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Ancient Age vs Maker’s Mark 46
Comparing Ancient Age and Maker’s Mark 46 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$26 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- Ancient Age 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
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/7 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Maker’s Mark 46: Finished with seared French oak staves inside the barrel, which adds the spice and wood that the standard bottling deliberately lacks. The most useful upgrade in the Maker's range.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with Maker’s Mark 46 if you want the softness of Maker's Mark with real oak and spice layered over it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).