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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Maker’s Mark 46 and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 ~$9 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).