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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Maker’s Mark 46
Put Jefferson's Reserve Very Old next to Maker’s Mark 46 and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | 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 | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$38 – $45 ~$19 less |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
- 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 Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
- 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 (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).