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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs Maker’s Mark 46
On paper Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and Maker’s Mark 46 are near neighbours — both wheated bourbons — so proof (106 vs. 94) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) +12 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$38 – $45 ~$11 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/4 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with more proof behind it.
- Go with Maker’s Mark 46 if you want the softness of Maker's Mark with real oak and spice layered over it at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).