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Maker’s Mark 46 vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$30 – $40 ~$7 less |
- David Nicholson Reserve 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
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
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.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).