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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +36 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$96 less | ~$75 – $200 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 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.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/9 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
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 significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).