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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Penelope Toasted Series
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Penelope Toasted Series and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a blender-built, high-rye bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 ~$21 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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 Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with slightly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).