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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Maker’s Mark 46
Put Barrell Foundation Bourbon next to Maker’s Mark 46 and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$38 – $45 ~$14 less |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- 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 Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).