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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Maker’s Mark 46
Put Elijah Craig Small Batch next to Maker’s Mark 46 and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$28 – $35 ~$10 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
- 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 Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
- Go with Maker’s Mark 46 if you want the softness of Maker's Mark with real oak and spice layered over it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).