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Maker’s Mark 46 vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Comparing Maker’s Mark 46 and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$26 less | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. 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
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
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 lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).