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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Michter's US*1 Small Batch 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 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ~$9 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch 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 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).