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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Stagg
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Stagg and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +36 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$54 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stagg 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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat (Stagg).