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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Willett Pot Still Reserve and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$11 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).