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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Maker’s Mark 46
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Maker’s Mark 46 reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$10 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a slightly 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 more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).