Compare
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Maker's Mark
Comparing Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Maker's Mark reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$25 – $32 ~$82 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
spice 4/2 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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: 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.
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 if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).