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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Old Forester 100 Proof and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$26 – $32 ~$13 less |
- 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 Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).