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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Maker’s Mark 46 and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$16 – $22 ~$23 less |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).