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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Comparing Maker’s Mark 46 and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 ~$21 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- 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.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year: Penelope's uncut flagship, now with a seven-year age statement. It is richer and spicier than the Four Grain, with caramel and rye spice carried by a lot of 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 lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).