Compare
Maker’s Mark 46 vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Maker’s Mark 46 and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$51 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/8 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
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.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).