Compare
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Maker’s Mark 46
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Maker’s Mark 46 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +30 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$38 – $45 ~$44 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself 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 significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).