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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
On paper Maker’s Mark 46 and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat are near neighbours — both wheated bourbons — so proof (94 vs. 106) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 106 proof (53% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 ~$11 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/8 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).