Compare
Maker’s Mark 46 vs Stellum Bourbon
Maker’s Mark 46 and Stellum Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Stellum Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$9 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Stellum Bourbon 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.
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Stellum Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
heat 4/7 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy 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 at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon).