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Maker’s Mark 46 vs George T. Stagg
Maker’s Mark 46 and George T. Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | George T. Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +49 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$434 less | ~$150 – $800 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- George T. Stagg 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.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 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.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
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 George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat (George T. Stagg).