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Evan Williams Black Label vs Maker’s Mark 46
Put Evan Williams Black Label next to Maker’s Mark 46 and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$26 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a lower price point.
- Go with Maker’s Mark 46 if you want the softness of Maker's Mark with real oak and spice layered over it with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).