Compare
Maker’s Mark 46 vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Elijah Craig Small Batch and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$28 – $35 ~$10 less |
- 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.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 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.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
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 Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).