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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Maker’s Mark 46 and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both wheated bourbons — so price (~$38 – $45 vs. ~$110 – $180) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 ~$104 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).