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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +4 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$19 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 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.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
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.
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).