Compare
Maker's Mark vs Jim Beam Black
Comparing Maker's Mark and Jim Beam Black reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker's Mark | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 | ~$22 – $28 |
- Jim Beam Black 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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker's Mark Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Maker's Mark 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker's Mark 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 2/4 spice: Maker's Mark 2 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Maker's Mark 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Maker's Mark 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Maker's Mark 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).