Compare
Maker's Mark vs Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Put Maker's Mark next to Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker's Mark | Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$49 less | ~$70 – $85 |
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker's Mark Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker's Mark 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10
spice 2/4 spice: Maker's Mark 2 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 4 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Maker's Mark 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker's Mark 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Maker's Mark 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker's Mark 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea: Bourbon that spends months rocking in a ship's hold. Each voyage tastes a little different, but expect caramel and dark sugar with a savory, faintly salty edge from the trip.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea if you want a conversation-piece bourbon with a savory, slightly briny twist from aging at sea.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea).