Compare
Maker’s Mark 46 vs Woodford Reserve
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Woodford Reserve and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$35 – $42 |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).