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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
On paper Maker’s Mark 46 and Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon are near neighbours — both wheated bourbons — so proof (94 vs. 87) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +7 proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$40 – $45 |
- 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.
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 4/2 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
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 with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon).