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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Rowan's Creek
Comparing Maker’s Mark 46 and Rowan's Creek reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$40 – $50 |
- Rowan's Creek does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).