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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Maker’s Mark 46
Put Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish next to Maker’s Mark 46 and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +3 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$38 – $45 ~$69 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 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
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/7 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).