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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +3 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$69 less | ~$90 – $130 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 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.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/8 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
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 Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish).